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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

fault

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verb

Synonym Chooser

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
Even with a string of settlements, police typically aren’t required to admit fault or wrongdoing, according to Lauren Bonds, executive director of the National Police Accountability Project. Kennedy Sessions, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2025 And then, if the most popular songs in the country aren’t somewhat dour or mellow to a fault, they’re holdovers from 2024 (or older). Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2025
Verb
The judges faulted Madrigal for making dessert tamales, a deviation from the theme. Ethan Wolin updated July 29, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2025 Then in the antebellum years there were the mill owners who bought cotton; they’re faulted for facilitating the slave system. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fault
Noun
  • Kindness may sound like a luxury in today’s high-takes, deliver-faster, do more with less, margin-tighter world—or worse, weakness.
    Jason Walker PsyD, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • History shows, however, that strengths can become weaknesses over time, and that is the most dangerous threat looming over these titans.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • What’s the most common mistake people make when trying to recreate the Honey Deuce at home?
    Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • My experience has been that my mistakes led to the best things in my life.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • There was a lot of hope, and some of the blame lies right here in this town.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2025
  • However, Posada also absolved Boone of blame during a group media session.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Think of it as smarter tools for everyday problems: • Quality Inspections: Instead of relying on tired eyes and manual checklists, manufacturers are using AI to flag defects in real time.
    Bill Rokos, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • By contrast, one of the most robust studies on SSRI use in pregnancy found no significant increase in congenital heart defects or most other major malformations when SSRIs were used in the first trimester, adds Dr. Batista.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Policymakers cannot kick the can of responsibility for grid upgrades down the road or hope for a savior from the private sector.
    Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Hundreds of law enforcement officials have signed up to perform some of the duties of federal immigration agents as part of their regular responsibilities in a program known as 287(g).
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Some social media users have criticized the department’s reverence for the 1940s, noting the period predated the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which outlawed segregation, as well as other landmark legislation and Supreme Court decisions that were key to the civil rights era.
    Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Trump amps up his attacks on CEOs and other executives Trump has long used social media and his other public statements to cajole, criticize and praise companies and individual CEOs.
    Maria Aspan, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Its digital failings look even more stark by comparison.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Woodland, who had surgery in September 2023 to remove a brain tumor, remains optimistic about his future in golf despite his failing to qualify for the playoffs.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Christian Kuntz for making a bunch of errors at the hot corner.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
  • When applied across a $500 million capital investment in net new builds—where UPS systems might account for only a small portion—the effect is at less than 1%, effectively a rounding error in the overall budget.
    Ryan Mallory, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fault. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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