Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

failed state

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.77 in modern English

Syllables: failed s-tate
IPA

15

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A state that has failed to meet the basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government; one that has lost physical control of its territory, the ability to provide public services, etc.

Example Sentences

"Against these stand the four national security arguments for intervention: fear of a rogue state, fear of a failed state, fear for the neighbours and fear for ourselves."
"In July, the prime minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis, called Haiti a “failed state,” and told local media that Caribbean leaders are considering opening direct talks with Haitian gang leaders to solve the country’s political crisis."

Etymology

Initially applied to Somalia in the 1990s.

Inflected Forms

failed states (plural)

Questions

What does failed state mean?: A state that has failed to meet the basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government; one that has lost physical control of its territory, the ability to provide public services, etc.
Where does failed state come from?: Initially applied to Somalia in the 1990s.

How to pronounce failed state

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Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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