Fail and Need

Fail

Fail verb - To stop functioning.

Need and fail are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Need" instead a verb "Fail".

Nearby Words: failure, failing, failed

Need

Need verb - To have as a requirement.

Fail and need are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Fail" instead a verb "Need".

Nearby Words: needed, needs, needy, needless, needful

Mutual synonyms

Common collocations

power fail power need power
people fail people need people
number fail number need number
time fail time need time
Other words: way, money, points.

Both words in one sentence

  • Badass in Distress In most cases the badass genuinely does need the help of others, but occasionally his allies fail to save him despite their best efforts.
  • Rizzoli & Isles: Angela cannot text, apparently, because she sent Jane a message that said "Homie, I need a boner." She really meant "Honey, I need a loaner." This is more an autocorrect fail.
  • Haven featured someone whose Trouble caused his organs to fail, and thus he would need transplants.
Cite this Source
Need and Fail. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/fail/need
Fail & Need. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/fail/need>.
Need or Fail. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/fail/need.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "fail" and "need" have occurred on timeline