an act or instance of failing or proving unsuccessful; lack of success

His effort ended in failure. The campaign was a failure.

nonperformance of something due, required, or expected

a failure to do what one has promised; a failure to appear.

a subnormal quantity or quality; an insufficiency

the failure of crops.

deterioration or decay, esp. of vigor, strength, etc.

The failure of her health made retirement necessary.

a condition of being bankrupt by reason of insolvency.

a becoming insolvent or bankrupt

the failure of a bank.

a person or thing that proves unsuccessful

He is a failure in his career. The cake is a failure.

noun

accomplishment , achievement , attainment , earnings , gain , merit , success , win , achiever

noun

abortion , bankruptcy , bomb , botch * , breakdown , bungle * , bust , checkmate , collapse , decay , decline , defeat , deficiency , deficit , deterioration , downfall , failing , false step , faux pas , fiasco , flash in the pan * , flop * , frustration , implosion , inadequacy , lead balloon , lemon * , loser , loss , mess , misadventure , miscarriage , misstep , nonperformance , nonsuccess , overthrow , rout , rupture , sinking ship , stalemate , stoppage , total loss , turkey , washout * , wreck , also-ran * , bankrupt , beat * , born loser , bum , castaway , deadbeat , defaulter , derelict , disappointment , dud * , flop , good-for-nothing * , has-been , incompetent , insolvent , loafer , lumpy , might-have-been , moocher , nobody , no-good , nonperformer , prodigal , underachiever , unsuccess , unsuccessfulness , washout , outage , default , delinquency , dereliction , neglect , omission , declination , insolvency , debacle , declension , derelictionnonfulfillment , dud , fault , fizzle , foil , lack , lapse , lemon , nonobservance , pretermission , retrogression , shortcoming , slump