: a usually slight or insignificant defect in character, conduct, or ability
: in absence or default of
failing specific instructions, use your own judgment
Synonyms
Examples of failing in a Sentence
Noun
He has some minor failings.
we could talk about your failings, but it would take all night
Preposition
Failing progress in the peace process, war seems likely.
Recent Examples on the Web
Armond White, National Review, 9 Aug. 2024
When a crisis hits, those failings are magnified, experts said.
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 20 July 2024
Vance blamed some of these challenges on personal failings – such as poor spending habits and work ethic – both in Middletown and Jackson.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 18 July 2024
The idea of treating wastewater to drink may shock some, particularly those familiar with the failings of Baltimore’s two massive wastewater plants.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for failing 
Noun
Now, Snyder faces Lucas’s dilemma — the liberal impulse to challenge patriarchy and critique the failings of imperialism.
—Armond White, National Review, 9 Aug. 2024
When a crisis hits, those failings are magnified, experts said.
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 20 July 2024
Vance blamed some of these challenges on personal failings – such as poor spending habits and work ethic – both in Middletown and Jackson.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 18 July 2024
The idea of treating wastewater to drink may shock some, particularly those familiar with the failings of Baltimore’s two massive wastewater plants.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for failing
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'failing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near failing
Cite this Entry
“Failing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/failing. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
failing
1 of 2 noun
fail·ing
ˈfā-liŋ 
failing
2 of 2 preposition
: in the absence or lack of
failing specific instructions, use your own judgment
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