failing
/ˈfeɪlɪŋ
/noun
A weakness, especially in a person’s character; a shortcoming: pride is a terrible failing...
- Councillors are as much at fault for the failings of particular services in the borough as the officers who run them.
- Independence deserves to be discussed on its own merits or failings - the honest approach.
- They show their foibles and failings, their gifts and talents in a way that's entirely theirs.
Synonyms
fault, shortcoming, weakness, weak point, weak spot, imperfection, defect, flaw, blemish, frailty, infirmity, foible, quirk, idiosyncrasy, vice;
deficiency, inadequacy, limitation
preposition
In the absence of; if not: she longed to be with him and, failing that, to be alone...
- Can anyone recommend a chain, or failing that, a local store in Austin, Texas, that would carry them?
- A lot of communities either try to prop up their long-established economic pillars or, failing that, they try to attract something big and new.
Synonyms
in the absence of, in default of, lacking, wanting, notwithstanding
