failed

[ feyld ]

adjective

1. falling short of success or achievement in something expected, desired, etc.:

   bad memories from a failed relationship; a failed attempt to save his daughter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of failed¹

First recorded in 1650–60; fail ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

Stefanik and Rubio are conventionally credentialed and will probably have basic familiarity with the issues they’re working on, but they’re also being put in the jobs that have the least potential to turn the U.S. into a failed state, which is good, I guess.

From Slate

Ms Roberts bought a spy camera over concerns about Mr Stockton and her son but failed to take any further action to protect him, it is alleged.

From BBC

They were endorsed again the week after the massacre, as if they were not shocking but the logical evolution of four decades of messaging that, until that terrible August day, had failed to land.

From Salon

The status quo has failed to protect Crusius’ community, and the logical response was vigilantism.

From Salon

Ms Nyachuru told the BBC it was not until 2021 that she received a written apology from Welby about the death of her brother, in which he admitted that Smyth was responsible and the church had failed her family.

From BBC

Related Words

• abortive
• disastrous
• doomed
• foiled
• fruitless
• futile
• ill-fated
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• losing
• thwarted
• useless
• vain