failsafe
Automatic emergency measure
A failsafe is a mechanism designed to prevent harm if something goes wrong—a backup that activates automatically when the primary system fails.
A nuclear reactor's failsafe shuts it down if cooling fails.
As an adjective, failsafe describes systems built with such protections: failsafe brakes, failsafe procedures.
The word implies that failure defaults to safety rather than catastrophe.
Join by overlapping
- circuit breakerAutomatic power cutoff device
- cutoffPoint of termination
- tripwireConcealed activation cord
- fault toleranceSystem continues despite failures
lockout · shutdown · override · cutout · fuse · surge protector · kill switch · automatic shutoff
Alternative if primary fails
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
- alternativeAnother available choice
- redundancyNeedless duplication
- workaroundMakeshift bypass of difficulty
plan B · escape route · rollback · failover · reserve · stopgap · emergency protocol · disaster recovery
Continues despite component failures
- robustStrong and durable
- graceful degradationMaintaining function while failing
- redundantExceeding what's needed
- idiot-proofImpossible to misuse
self-correcting · tamper-resistant · bulletproof · reliable · resilient · stable · double-check
Handheld defensive armor
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- cushionStuffed fabric for comfort
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- guardWatchful defensive attention
insurance · firewall · protective measure · containment · isolation · quarantine · lockdown
Removal from danger
- crisis responseAction taken during emergencies
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- rescueSave from harm
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
distress signal · SOS · mayday · emergency shutoff · panic button · fire suppression · sprinkler system · emergency brake
interlock
Join by overlapping
- circuit breakerAutomatic power cutoff device
- cutoffPoint of termination
- tripwireConcealed activation cord
fault tolerance · lockout · shutdown · override · cutout · fuse · surge protector · kill switch · automatic shutoff · pressure valve
backup plan
Alternative if primary fails
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
- alternativeAnother available choice
- redundancyNeedless duplication
workaround · plan B · escape route · rollback · failover · reserve · stopgap · emergency protocol · disaster recovery
fault-tolerant
Continues despite component failures
- robustStrong and durable
- graceful degradationMaintaining function while failing
- redundantExceeding what's needed
idiot-proof · self-correcting · tamper-resistant · bulletproof · reliable · resilient · stable · double-check
shield
Handheld defensive armor
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- cushionStuffed fabric for comfort
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
guard · insurance · firewall · protective measure · containment · isolation · quarantine · lockdown
evacuation
Removal from danger
- crisis responseAction taken during emergencies
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- rescueSave from harm
survival · distress signal · SOS · mayday · emergency shutoff · panic button · fire suppression · sprinkler system · emergency brake · ejection seat
- safetyhazard, airbag, alert, danger, seatbelt
- strategystrategy, grand strategy, tactics, tactic, tactical
- practical measuresbackup plan, checkpoint, drill, emergency plan, evacuation
- preventive measuresvaccination, backup plan, insurance, screening, firewall
- protectionbodyguard, armor, gloves, security guard, shield
- safeguardssafeguards, protections, kill switch, defenses, emergency stop
failsafeunreliable
Not consistently performing
unstable · undependable · erratic · unpredictable · uncertain