dud
It never detonates
A dud is something that fails to work as expected.
Originally a bomb or shell that doesn't explode, the term now applies broadly to anything disappointing: a movie that flops, a product that malfunctions, a firework that fizzles.
The new phone was a complete dud.
As an adjective, dud means defective or worthless: a dud battery.
Complete commercial failure
- letdownFailure to satisfy expectations
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- fiascoHumiliating public failure
- debacleSudden, complete failure
bust · washout · lemon · turkey · bomb · clunker · loser · nonstarter
Explosive device or disaster
- shellHard outer covering
- grenadeHandheld thrown explosive
- munitionMilitary weapon or projectile
- misfireFailure to discharge
detonator · fuse · warhead · torpedo · landmine · artillery · cartridge · dynamite
Having defects or errors
- brokenDamaged beyond function
- malfunctioningOperating incorrectly or failing
- nonfunctionalNot performing its purpose
- kaputSlang for ruined
busted · dead · inoperative · useless · worthless · defect · glitch · lemon
Defeated competitor
- incompetentLacking necessary skill
- deadbeatPerson avoiding owed payments
- failureLack of success
- washoutComplete failure or cancellation
nobody · lightweight · nonentity · underperformer · disappointment · letdown · hopeless case
flop
Complete commercial failure
- letdownFailure to satisfy expectations
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- fiascoHumiliating public failure
debacle · bust · washout · lemon · turkey · bomb · clunker · loser · nonstarter · anticlimax
bomb
Explosive device or disaster
misfire · detonator · fuse · warhead · torpedo · landmine · artillery · cartridge · dynamite · mine
faulty
Having defects or errors
- brokenDamaged beyond function
- malfunctioningOperating incorrectly or failing
- nonfunctionalNot performing its purpose
kaput · busted · dead · inoperative · useless · worthless · defect · glitch · lemon · reject
loser
Defeated competitor
- incompetentLacking necessary skill
- deadbeatPerson avoiding owed payments
- failureLack of success
washout · nobody · lightweight · nonentity · underperformer · disappointment · letdown · hopeless case
threads
Twisted fiber strands
attire · garb · getup · togs · rags · glad rags · Sunday best · finery · wardrobe · apparel
- failuresfailure, failures, flop, flops, bust
- reviewsreview, reviews, rating, ratings, critic
- defective goodslemon, seconds, reject, damaged goods, factory seconds
- Famous Failuresflop, bomb, turkey, lemon, fiasco
- Flopsflop, bomb, critical flop, box office bomb, Ishtar
- creative failuresbox office bomb, flop, failed experiment, unfinished work