Dictionary entry details
• FAILURE (noun)
Meaning:
An act that fails
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Context example:
his failure to pass the test
Hypernyms ("failure" is a kind of...):
nonaccomplishment; nonachievement (an act that does not achieve its intended goal)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "failure"):
default; nonpayment; nonremittal (act of failing to meet a financial obligation)
nonconformance; nonconformity (failure to conform to accepted standards of behavior)
out ((baseball) a failure by a batter or runner to reach a base safely in baseball)
error; misplay ((baseball) a failure of a defensive player to make an out when normal play would have sufficed)
backsliding; lapse; lapsing; relapse; relapsing; reversion; reverting (a failure to maintain a higher state)
loss (the act of losing)
naught (complete failure)
failing; flunk (failure to reach a minimum required performance)
Meaning:
An event that does not accomplish its intended purpose
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural events
Context example:
the surprise party was a complete failure
Hypernyms ("failure" is a kind of...):
happening; natural event; occurrence; occurrent (an event that happens)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "failure"):
defeat; licking (an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest)
breakdown; equipment failure (a cessation of normal operation)
malformation; miscreation (something abnormal or anomalous)
bust; fizzle; flop (a complete failure)
misfire; miss (a failure to hit (or meet or find etc))
abortion; miscarriage (failure of a plan)
malfunction (a failure to function normally)
flame-out (a complete or conspicuous failure)
downfall; ruin; ruination (failure that results in a loss of position or reputation)
Antonym:
success (an event that accomplishes its intended purpose)
Meaning:
Lack of success
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Context examples:
he felt that his entire life had been a failure / that year there was a crop failure
Hypernyms ("failure" is a kind of...):
circumstances; destiny; fate; fortune; lot; luck; portion (your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "failure"):
bankruptcy (a state of complete lack of some abstract property)
bank failure (the inability of a bank to meet its credit obligations)
crop failure (the failure of crops to produce a marketable surplus)
dead duck (something doomed to failure)
Antonym:
success (a state of prosperity or fame)
Meaning:
A person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently
Classified under:
Nouns denoting people
Synonyms:
unsuccessful person; nonstarter; loser; failure
Hypernyms ("failure" is a kind of...):
unfortunate; unfortunate person (a person who suffers misfortune)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "failure"):
underdog (one at a disadvantage and expected to lose)
dud; flop; washout (someone who is unsuccessful)
flash in the pan (someone who enjoys transient success but then fails)
bankrupt; insolvent (someone who has insufficient assets to cover their debts)
Meaning:
An unexpected omission
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Context examples:
he resented my failure to return his call / the mechanic's failure to check the brakes
Hypernyms ("failure" is a kind of...):
omission; skip (a mistake resulting from neglect)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "failure"):
dashing hopes; disappointment (an act (or failure to act) that disappoints someone)
breach (a failure to perform some promised act or obligation)
copout (a failure to face some difficulty squarely)
Meaning:
Inability to discharge all your debts as they come due
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Synonyms:
bankruptcy; failure
Context examples:
the company had to declare bankruptcy / fraudulent loans led to the failure of many banks
Hypernyms ("failure" is a kind of...):
insolvency (the lack of financial resources)
Meaning:
Loss of ability to function normally
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Context example:
kidney failure
Hypernyms ("failure" is a kind of...):
disorder; upset (condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "failure"):
coronary failure; heart failure (inability of the heart to pump enough blood to sustain normal bodily functions)
kidney failure; renal failure (inability of the kidneys to excrete wastes and to help maintain the electrolyte balance)
