fault

noun

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\ ˈfȯlt

, in poetry also ˈfȯt \

Definition of fault

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : weakness, failing especially : a moral weakness less serious than a vice He loves her despite her many faults.

b : a physical or intellectual imperfection or impairment : defect a theory with some serious faults

c : an error especially in service in a net or racket game She committed too many faults to win the match.

2 : responsibility for wrongdoing or failure the accident was the driver's fault

3a : mistake The misplacement of "only" is one of the most common writing faults.

b : misdemeanor a small boy's faults

4 : a fracture in the crust of a planet (such as the earth) or moon accompanied by a displacement of one side of the fracture with respect to the other usually in a direction parallel to the fracture Frequent earthquakes have occurred along the San Andreas Fault.

5 obsolete : lack

at fault

1 : open to blame : responsible you were really at fault

2 : unable to find the scent and continue chase

to a fault

: to an excessive degree precise to a fault

fault

verb

faulted; faulting; faults

Definition of fault (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to find a fault in easy to praise this book and to fault it— H. G. Roepke

2 : blame, censure can't fault them for not coming

3 : to produce a geologic fault in

intransitive verb

1 : to commit a fault : err

2 : to fracture so as to produce a geologic fault

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About fault

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Synonyms & Antonyms for fault

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

blame,
censure,
condemn,
criticize,
denounce,
dis
(also diss)
[slang],
dispraise,
knock,
pan,
reprehend,
slag
[chiefly British]

Antonyms: Noun

merit,
virtue

Antonyms: Verb

extol
(also extoll),
laud,
praise

Choose the Right Synonym for fault

Noun

fault, failing, frailty, foible, vice 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 failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character. being late is a failing of mine frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation. human frailties foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy. an eccentric's charming foibles 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

Examples of fault in a Sentence

Noun Lack of courage is his worst fault. If the book has a fault, it's that it's too long. It's your own fault you missed that bus. Through no fault of his own, he won't be able to attend the meeting. She committed too many faults to win the match. Verb The truck driver was faulted for the accident. Many have faulted her for not acting sooner. I can't fault him for trying to protect his family.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The right-wing media space created a parallel narrative, largely divorced from reality, that this was all Clinton’s fault. — Philip Elliott, Time, 14 July 2021 The city long ago admitted fault when the Fire and Police Commission unanimously demoted Morales from chief to captain last summer without due process. — Elliot Hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 13 July 2021 When Berrettini started off the third game with a double-fault, Djokovic stepped up the pressure, pushing Berrettini side to side and pulling him toward the net. — New York Times, 11 July 2021 Thursday’s earthquake occurred on the Antelope Valley fault system of the Eastern Sierra — unrelated to the Antelope Valley of Los Angeles County 275 miles to the south. — Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2021 The listing, part of a partnership between the home rental company and Volvic water, is a modern tiny home located in the green Chaîne des Puys- Limagne fault tectonic area, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the company shared with Travel + Leisure. — Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2021 Johansson’s fault; the new players are just ridiculously good. — Brian Truitt, Detroit Free Press, 9 July 2021 Elliott also said earthquakes commonly happen along this fault. — Jocelyn Gecker, ajc, 9 July 2021 The San Andreas Fault, running the length of the California coastline, is among the largest and most active fault zones in the world. — Nora Mishanec, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 July 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Experts fault delta in India’s devastating coronavirus surge over recent months and also the outbreaks that caused the U.K. to delay its reopening plans this week. — Chronicle Staff, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 June 2021 Few would fault Lawrence for stopping his racing career right there on the Mount Timpanogos football field. — Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 21 June 2021 Despite his skepticism, Todd does not fault Florida officials for their reluctance to declare their mission solely a recovery operation at this point. — Washington Post, 1 July 2021 If the party moves forward unilaterally, says John Anzalone, Biden’s campaign adviser and pollster, the public isn’t likely to fault the President. — Alana Abramson, Time, 4 June 2021 Critics were quick to fault him for tactical blunders, like running an anti-Brexit candidate in pro-Brexit Hartlepool. — New York Times, 7 May 2021 There was nothing to fault, only that Jones came up against the mighty Dana. — Billboard Staff, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2021 Despite flags flying at half-staff and outrage expressed by Canadian officials, many Indigenous communities fault the government for lofty rhetoric that does not match reality. — Sara Miller Llana, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 June 2021 Border state lawmakers from both parties fault the White House for doing too little. — BostonGlobe.com, 14 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fault.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Learn More About fault

Dictionary Entries Near fault

Faulkner

fault

faultage

Statistics for fault

Last Updated

23 Jul 2021

Cite this Entry

“Fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fault. Accessed 2 Aug. 2021.

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More Definitions for fault

fault

noun

English Language Learners Definition of fault

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a bad quality or part of someone's character : a weakness in character

: a problem or bad part that prevents something from being perfect : a flaw or defect

: responsibility for a problem, mistake, bad situation, etc.

fault

verb

English Language Learners Definition of fault (Entry 2 of 2)

: to criticize (something)

: to blame or criticize (someone)

See the full definition for fault in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fault

noun

\ ˈfȯlt

Kids Definition of fault

1 : a weakness in character : failing Forgetfulness is my worst fault.

2 : responsibility for something wrong Why should he take the blame when it wasn't his fault?

3 : flaw, imperfection She bought the jacket even though it had a fault.

4 : a crack in the earth's crust along which movement occurs

at fault

: responsible for something wrong

fault

noun

Legal Definition of fault

1 : a usually intentional act forbidden by law also : a usually intentional omission to do something (as to exercise due care) required by law — see also negligence — compare no-fault, strict liability at liability

Note: Sometimes when fault is used in legal contexts it includes negligence, sometimes it is considered synonymous with negligence, and sometimes it is distinguished from negligence. Fault and negligence are the usual bases for liability in the law of torts.