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Definition of faultnext
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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
Florida’s program, called Reemployment Assistance, provides temporary income to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 5 May 2026 Perhaps less well-known is that Las Vegas is surrounded on all sides by faults, which might come as a surprise since a damaging earthquake hasn’t hit the city in its short modern history. Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Verb
Cruise control can fault for a wide range of reasons. Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026 The White House faulted Lucey for interrupting her press colleagues. W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fault
Noun
  • The problem is having a setup around him that simultaneously platforms his strengths and covers for his weaknesses.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • Israeli officials fear that lifting economic pressure – even partially – could stabilize the Iranian regime at a moment of weakness.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Kreider made no mistake hammering the puck past Hart from the low slot.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
  • That will also be a huge difference from the Orbán regime, when there was no responsibility or consequences of any crime, any political mistake.
    Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • About eight in 10 respondents said gas prices are straining their household budgets, and 63% blame Trump for that increase given the war with Iran.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 9 May 2026
  • Russia declared a unilateral ceasefire for Friday and Saturday, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a truce that was supposed to begin on May 6, but neither of them held as the parties traded blame for continuing attacks.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • In Walker’s first few months of life, doctors closely monitored his condition while hoping surgery would ultimately correct the defects.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
  • In the surgical procedure, a v-shape of the lower lid is removed thereby shortening the area and reducing the defect.
    Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • Burns asked if Becerra bore responsibility for losing contact with tens of thousands of unaccompanied immigrant children who came over the southern border and were placed with often unrelated adult sponsors across the United States by HHS during the Biden administration.
    Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 12 May 2026
  • Why the Sedins would be eager to take on this challenge, this greater level of responsibility and legacy-threatening scrutiny that will come attached to it, at this low point in franchise history, is beyond me.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • At the awards ceremony closing the Berlinale, some winners used their acceptance speeches to support Palestinians and criticize Israel over its war in Gaza.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 10 May 2026
  • Additionally, Pashinyan has opted to expand Armenia’s partnerships with Western governments, something that has been sharply criticized by Russian officials.
    Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • Not the individual failing, not even the generational one, but the architecture of permission that organized the emotional lives of everyone within its radius.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
  • The previous Lord of the Flies adaptations, whatever their failings otherwise, were similarly showcases for casting discoveries.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • Mayer advanced to third on a subsequent error by Walls trying to flip the ball to second base, which scored Yoshida, and came home himself on Caleb Durbin’s RBI single, tying the game at 3-3.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
  • He was found dead by suicide in his jail cell that August — the result of what federal investigators concluded in 2023 was a cascade of misconduct, negligence and errors by staff at the Metropolitan Correctional Center.
    Tom Winter, NBC news, 7 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fault. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

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