Failable

Failable describes something that is capable of failing or liable to error, defeat, or breakage. It signifies an inherent possibility of malfunction, inadequacy, or non-success. This term emphasizes the fragility or imperfect nature of a process, system, or entity, highlighting the potential for deviation from the intended outcome. It often implies a degree of risk or uncertainty, suggesting that the subject is not foolproof and subject to external or internal influences that could compromise its functionality or achievement.

Failable meaning with examples

• The company implemented a new automated system, but the engineers acknowledged it was failable, as the new system involved AI with a lot of variables and could be affected by unforeseen software bugs, or other environmental issues. They established redundancy plans to mitigate any disruptions to the production process due to any failures of the new technology, demonstrating their acknowledgement of the failable nature of new technology.
• The meticulous researcher understood that their hypothesis was failable; the experiment was designed to withstand potential errors. They built a test to provide checks to ensure correct collection of data to find out their work was based on the quality of the data, and not any predetermined outcome. The researcher embraced the potential to be wrong, using this opportunity to learn and refine their understanding.
• The government's economic forecast was presented with a failable caveat, acknowledging that the prediction was based on a complex set of assumptions that could change, causing the model to become incorrect. Economists understood unforeseen circumstances such as global events, or unexpected domestic issues could render the forecast incorrect, thus they presented several versions.
• The complex software architecture was designed with a focus on handling failable components. The IT team invested in this to make sure that any part of the application could crash without affecting the entire platform. The engineers knew there were many areas which could fail, but designed a system that would isolate the problems to give an efficient recovery.
• The athlete's performance was understood to be failable, recognizing that even the best competitors are prone to occasional errors. The trainers helped the athlete accept the possibility of a loss or not succeeding. They practiced the mental capacity to cope with any negative outcomes while also working on the development of their physical skills to maximize the chances of success, understanding all systems are failable.