failer
One who flops
A failer is someone who fails—at a task, an endeavor, or life generally.
The word is uncommon, since English usually reaches for "failure" to describe both the act and the person: He's a failure.
But failer emphasizes the agent: She's not a failer; she just hasn't succeeded yet.
The term appears in motivational contexts distinguishing those who fail from those who quit.
Defeated competitor
- underachieverOne performing below capacity
- dropoutOne who quits early
- washoutComplete failure or cancellation
- flunkFail a course
incompetent · underperformer · also-ran · disappointment · letdown · reject · has-been · ne'er-do-well
Sadness from unmet expectations
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- regretSorrow over past actions
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- dejectionState of lowness
dismay · discouragement · demoralization · humiliation · embarrassment · self-doubt · inadequacy · worthlessness
Reverse in progress
- stumbling blockObstacle causing difficulty
- roadblockObstruction across a road
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- hurdleBarrier to leap over
impediment · hindrance · difficulty · snag · complication · pitfall · breakdown · malfunction
Capacity to recover quickly
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- comebackRecovery after decline
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
retry · persistence · tenacity · endurance · second chance · redemption · learning curve · growth
loser
Defeated competitor
- underachieverOne performing below capacity
- dropoutOne who quits early
- washoutComplete failure or cancellation
flunk · incompetent · underperformer · also-ran · disappointment · letdown · reject · has-been · ne'er-do-well · nonentity
disappointment
Sadness from unmet expectations
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- regretSorrow over past actions
- shamePainful awareness of failure
dejection · dismay · discouragement · demoralization · humiliation · embarrassment · self-doubt · inadequacy · worthlessness · hopelessness
setback
Reverse in progress
- stumbling blockObstacle causing difficulty
- roadblockObstruction across a road
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
hurdle · impediment · hindrance · difficulty · snag · complication · pitfall · breakdown · malfunction · defeat
resilience
Capacity to recover quickly
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- comebackRecovery after decline
recovery · retry · persistence · tenacity · endurance · second chance · redemption · learning curve · growth · improvement
- without failCertainly, every time
- heart failureInadequate blood pumping condition
- power failureLoss of electrical service
- engine failureLoss of motor function
- grid failureElectrical network collapse
- failed statesCountries lacking functional government