failed

1. 1
   verb

   Past tense and past participle of fail. Use it for the past, or after has, have, had, is, was or were.

   She failed the test twice before she passed it.

   The little shop failed after only one year.

   Note
2. 2
   adjective

   Not successful, or not able to do what was wanted.

   Like a plan that falls apart before it ever does its job.

   The failed experiment cost the lab months of work.

   After several failed attempts, she finally solved the puzzle.

   Similarunsuccessful, abortive, botched, fruitless, unfulfilled

   Oppositesuccessful, triumphant

3. 3
   adjective

   Unable to pay what is owed, and closed down because of money problems.

   Like a store that has to shut its doors because it ran out of money.

   Regulators seized the failed bank's remaining assets.

   Creditors lined up to recover money from the failed firm.

   Similarbankrupt, insolvent, defunct

   Oppositesolvent, thriving, prosperous

   Note
4. 4
   adjective

   Worn out or broken down from age, decay, or long use.

   Like an old rope so worn it can no longer hold any weight.

   The barn's failed timbers had rotted through after years of neglect.

   Workers pulled out the failed, rusted pipes and laid new ones.

   Similardecayed, deteriorated, defective, broken, faulty

   Oppositesound, intact, functional

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