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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
The research could help sort out the questions of who is at fault for contributing significantly to a particular heat wave, said study coauthor Richard Heede of the Climate Accountability Institute. Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025 Everyone — from the coach Mike McDaniel to the players to even the water boys — was seemingly at fault for such a lopsided loss. C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
The Judicial Qualifications Commission is faulting her for failing to verify the allegations raised in the Orlando book or to contact any of the judges involved before promoting the book as part of her campaign. Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025 Why fault the distributor for going the extra mile in booking the title, and thus throw a pie in the film’s face? Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fault
Noun
  • It could be argued that this trio of managers followed each other at United because their strengths answered the previous manager’s weaknesses.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The weakness was most pronounced on the goods-producing side of the economy.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Having the confidence to make tough decisions, to trust your team, to learn from your mistakes, and to keep moving forward.
    WWD Staff, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
  • That, in my opinion, is a mistake.
    Arthur Azizov, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Peers are thriving in the very same economy that Dine’s board and management blame for their struggles.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • There was plenty of blame to go around Friday night following the Chiefs’ 27-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • When tested in rats with cranial bone defects, the results were striking.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The researchers concluded that a higher body mass index (BMI) is the main factor linked to these defects in the knees.
    Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Accountability requires taking personal responsibility for your cognitive development.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This shift represents a fundamental change in how professional development happens, with corporations taking direct responsibility for credentialing workers in emerging technologies.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Six separate receivers have caught touchdown passes already this season, a stark difference from a season ago when Green was criticized for being too reliant on a small number of playmakers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Like Kennedy, Anderson was criticized over the eight-minute tape, which was meant for private consumption and created by consenting spouses.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • If the continuity, cohesion and familiarity offered by those who stayed does not prove enough to keep Leeds in the league, the inability to sell efficiently in the summer window will be seen as one of the failings.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Thailand under Anutin will try to depart from Pheu Thai’s failings as much as possible, says Cogan.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • An aircraft flying without GPS can accumulate miles of error in just hours.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
  • FanDuel acknowledged the error in the way the game score was displayed and pinned it on a third-party provider.
    Contessa Brewer,Alex Sherman, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fault. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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