FAULT Synonyms: 229 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'fault' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fault are failing , foible , frailty , and vice . While all these words mean "an imperfection or weakness of character," fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit. // a writer of many virtues and few faults

Q: When could 'failing' be used to replace 'fault'?

The words failing and fault can be used in similar contexts, but failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character. // being late is a failing of mine

Q: When might 'foible' be a better fit than 'fault'?

Although the words foible and fault have much in common, foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy. // an eccentric's charming foibles

Q: In what contexts can 'frailty' take the place of 'fault'?

While the synonyms frailty and fault are close in meaning, frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation. // human frailties

Q: When is it sensible to use 'vice' instead of 'fault'?

The synonyms vice and fault are sometimes interchangeable, but vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others. // compulsive gambling was his vice

fault 1 of 2

noun

ˈfȯlt

Definition of fault

as in weakness

a defect in character the common fault of being quick to judge others

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as in mistake

an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy there's a fault somewhere in the program

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as in blame

responsibility for wrongdoing or failure getting the time of the performance wrong was entirely my fault

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as in defect

something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing the minor faults in the leather are entirely natural and are what gives it a look different from vinyl

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as in responsibility

the state of being held as the cause of something that needs to be set right the investigator determined that the auto accident was entirely the other driver's fault

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fault

2 of 2

verb

as in to blame

to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of you should look at your own work before faulting what others have done

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How does the noun fault differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fault are failing, foible, frailty, and vice. While all these words mean "an imperfection or weakness of character," fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit.

a writer of many virtues and few faults

When could failing be used to replace fault?

The words failing and fault can be used in similar contexts, but failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character.

being late is a failing of mine

When might foible be a better fit than fault?

Although the words foible and fault have much in common, foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy.

an eccentric's charming foibles

In what contexts can frailty take the place of fault?

While the synonyms frailty and fault are close in meaning, frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation.

human frailties

When is it sensible to use vice instead of fault?

The synonyms vice and fault are sometimes interchangeable, but vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others.

compulsive gambling was his vice

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 fault

Noun

In this new study, scientists analyzing images snapped by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) have spotted over 10,000 young faults, or cracks across the moon's surface. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Florida’s comparative-fault rules provide the framework for allocating fault when the evidence supports doing so. — Emma Clapp, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

Coaches and scouts suggested the young and wiry Martínez might never develop into a pitcher as successful as his brother Ramon, but Claire did not fault them. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 Although it was outdone by MSI's exceptional Prestige 14 Flip AI+, Lenovo's time is hard to fault. — Charles Jefferies, PC Magazine, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fault

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fault

Noun

Contrary to Trump’s understanding of leadership, empathy doesn’t equate to weakness but to strength.

— Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
However, the company expects future models to discover weaknesses that remain unknown today.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of weakness

Noun

And if so, did Democrats make a mistake by not investing earlier?

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Tampa Bay, which won the AL pennant by forcing opponents into mistakes, committed one error, made two other misplays that could have been charged as errors and had a runner thrown out at the plate.

— Ronald Blum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of mistake

Noun

Children’s Mercy didn’t explicitly lay the blame on a failure to expand Medicaid or the expiration of premium tax credits in the One Big Beautiful Bill.

— Jack Harvel October 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
He has been sacked 17 times in six games, but the blame really should be on the coach for having a poor game plan.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of blame

Noun

Rushing went through a learning curve juggling his defensive and offensive responsibilities, and navigating intense online scrutiny of his outbursts on the field and in the dugout.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Enroll your baby before the clock runs out Ensuring your newborn has health coverage is one of the first paperwork responsibilities that parents face in the whirlwind of bringing a baby home.

— Stephanie O'Neill, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of responsibility

Verb

Vance has neither criticized his friend nor publicly nudged Carlson to temper what’s been harsh criticism of Israel — and Trump’s cultivation of the Netanyahu government.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
At an October debate, Bass pointed out that Raman, as chair of the city council’s housing and homelessness committee, had repeatedly approved spending on Inside Safe, the very program Raman now criticizes as expensive and insufficiently accountable.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticize

Noun

In the documentation, the company is candid about its failings.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 Oct. 2026
The Army report highlighted how the air traffic controller at Reagan National Airport could have prevented the crash, but also acknowledged the military’s own failings and other contributing factors.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of failing

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faugh

fault

faulted

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“Fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fault. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fault

noun

verb

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Cite this Entry

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