FALL FLAT Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

fall flat

phrase

Definition of fall flat

as in collapse

to be unsuccessful Her performance fell flat despite weeks of rehearsing.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fall short

to go wrong Their game plan fell flat when their star player suffered an injury.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of fall flat Instead, the administration has proposed cutting more than 9,400 of my fellow workers and launched a new effort to privatize TSA — Horizon 25 — after the TSA Gold+ privatization campaign fell flat. — Hydrick Thomas, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026 The stabs at humor also fall flat, even if the gimmick of a priest injecting his enemies with a serum that obliges them to attend mass every Sunday is kind of fun the first time, but not really the second or third. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026 Challenges to General Assembly incumbents fell flat Anti-incumbent sentiment didn't trickle down to the General Assembly, where the small number of incumbents facing primary challenges all held on to their seats. — Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 10 Sep. 2026 Then there’s the dubious CGI, which falls flat compared with the practical stunt work and effects that gave the first three films so much of their tactile charm. — Frank Deruggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fall flat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall flat

fall short

Phrase

OpenAI's latest annual revenue estimate, confirmed by CNBC, has spooked investors by falling short of previous statements, and the market has taken it out on technology stocks.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
The government has increasingly relied on rationing as electricity supply falls short of demand.

— Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fall short

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fallen (to)

fall flat

fall for

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Style

“Fall flat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20flat. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fall flat

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