failings
Where someone falls short
Failings are faults, weaknesses, or shortcomings—the ways a person or thing falls short of expectations.
The word often carries a tone of resigned acceptance rather than harsh judgment: For all his failings, he meant well.
We speak of human failings as the inevitable imperfections that come with being mortal.
Inadequacies or weak points
- faultsImperfections or shortcomings
- sinsViolations of moral law
- transgressionsViolations of rules or laws
- wrongdoingsImmoral or illegal acts
vices · lapses · indiscretions · misdeeds · trespasses · offenses · infractions · violations
Sudden failures or collapses
- malfunctionsFailures to operate correctly
- errorsUnintentional deviations from correctness
- glitchesMinor system malfunctions
- bugsSmall crawling creatures
defects · flaws · oversights · loopholes · vulnerabilities · cracks · gaps · blind spots
Points of vulnerability
- foiblesMinor personal weaknesses
- frailtiesInherent weaknesses or faults
- imperfectionsDeviations from the ideal
- vulnerabilitiesExploitable weak points
insecurities · hang-ups · blind spots · character flaws · quirks · tendencies · susceptibilities · Achilles heel
Points where something fails
- deficienciesInsufficient amounts of something
- shortfallsAmounts below targets
- underperformanceFailing to meet expectations
- incompetenceLack of required skill
ineffectiveness · limitations · weaknesses · gaps · insufficiencies · mediocrity · ineptitude · incapacity
Decrease or refuse
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- infirmityWeakness from illness or age
- debilityImpaired strength or vitality
feebleness · frailty · diminishing · waning · fading · faltering · flagging · ailing
shortcomings
Inadequacies or weak points
- faultsImperfections or shortcomings
- sinsViolations of moral law
- transgressionsViolations of rules or laws
wrongdoings · vices · lapses · indiscretions · misdeeds · trespasses · offenses · infractions · violations · derelictions
breakdowns
Sudden failures or collapses
- malfunctionsFailures to operate correctly
- errorsUnintentional deviations from correctness
- glitchesMinor system malfunctions
bugs · defects · flaws · oversights · loopholes · vulnerabilities · cracks · gaps · blind spots
weaknesses
Points of vulnerability
- foiblesMinor personal weaknesses
- frailtiesInherent weaknesses or faults
- imperfectionsDeviations from the ideal
vulnerabilities · insecurities · hang-ups · blind spots · character flaws · quirks · tendencies · susceptibilities · Achilles heel · soft spots
inadequacies
Points where something fails
- deficienciesInsufficient amounts of something
- shortfallsAmounts below targets
- underperformanceFailing to meet expectations
incompetence · ineffectiveness · limitations · weaknesses · gaps · insufficiencies · mediocrity · ineptitude · incapacity · inefficiency
decline
Decrease or refuse
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- infirmityWeakness from illness or age
debility · feebleness · frailty · diminishing · waning · fading · faltering · flagging · ailing · worsening
- flawsfaults, defect, flaw, blemish, flaws
- setbacksback to square one, stuck, losing, stumbles, hit a snag
- sinsgreed, lust, gluttony, deadly sin, sloth
failingsstrengths
Powers or capabilities
virtues · fortes · strong points · gifts · talents
failingssuccesses
Favorable outcomes achieved
achievements · accomplishments · triumphs · victories · attainments
- failing gradeUnsatisfactory academic mark
- failing at lifeChronic inability to thrive
- failing eyesight
- failing thatIf unsuccessful, then
- words failing someoneLoss of verbal capacity
- failing test