English noun: failure | |||
1. | failure (act) an act that fails | ||
Samples | His failure to pass the test. | ||
Broader (hypernym) | nonaccomplishment, nonachievement | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | backsliding, default, error, failing, flunk, lapse, lapsing, loss, misplay, naught, nonconformance, nonconformity, nonpayment, nonremittal, out, relapse, relapsing, reversion, reverting | ||
2. | failure (event) an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose | ||
Samples | The surprise party was a complete failure. | ||
Broader (hypernym) | happening, natural event, occurrence, occurrent | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | abortion, breakdown, bust, defeat, downfall, equipment failure, fizzle, flame-out, flop, licking, malformation, malfunction, miscarriage, miscreation, misfire, miss, ruin, ruination | ||
Antonyms | success | ||
3. | failure (state) lack of success | ||
Samples | He felt that his entire life had been a failure. That year there was a crop failure. | ||
Broader (hypernym) | circumstances, destiny, fate, fortune, lot, luck, portion | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | bank failure, bankruptcy, crop failure, dead duck | ||
Antonyms | success | ||
4. | failure (person) a person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently | ||
Synonyms | loser, nonstarter, unsuccessful person | ||
Broader (hypernym) | unfortunate, unfortunate person | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | bankrupt, dud, flash in the pan, flop, insolvent, underdog, washout | ||
Antonyms | achiever, succeeder, winner, success | ||
5. | failure (act) an unexpected omission | ||
Samples | He resented my failure to return his call. The mechanic's failure to check the brakes. | ||
Broader (hypernym) | omission, skip | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | breach, copout, dashing hopes, disappointment | ||
6. | failure (state) inability to discharge all your debts as they come due | ||
Samples | The company had to declare bankruptcy. Fraudulent loans led to the failure of many banks. | ||
Synonyms | bankruptcy | ||
Broader (hypernym) | insolvency | ||
7. | failure (state) loss of ability to function normally | ||
Samples | Kidney failure. | ||
Broader (hypernym) | disorder, upset | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | coronary failure, heart failure, kidney failure, renal failure | ||