You are correct and it's disheartening to see multiple replies asserting non-arguments against your observation. In political science, "failed state" has some

You are correct and it's disheartening to see multiple replies asserting non-arguments against your observation. In political science, "failed state" has some commonly accepted definitions (eg- unable to project power and defend borders), none of which apply to the US even when accounting for the terrible mismanagement of COVID-19. But like with some other terms, there's a group of theorists (usually not political scientists) who are diluting the word and throwing it around politically. In terms of the underlying reality, the US very much a functioning state.