1
as in weakness
a defect in character
the common fault of being quick to judge others
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
there's a fault somewhere in the program
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in blame
responsibility for wrongdoing or failure
getting the time of the performance wrong was entirely my fault
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fault
Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Among his reasoning was due to the distance between the southern tip of the San Andreas fault and where these earthquakes had formed.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 12 May 2026
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
Noun
In its final report issued in November 2025, the NTSB found Hyundai Heavy Industries to be at fault in causing the M/V Dali’s loss of power and its allision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Among his reasoning was due to the distance between the southern tip of the San Andreas fault and where these earthquakes had formed.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 12 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
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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
-
More bailouts would paper over the failings of federal regulation.—
Marc Scribner,
Washington Post,
13 May 2026
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Equally important is practicing self-care and self-compassion, which, Broder says, means treating yourself with kindness instead of judgment and recognizing that your patterns developed as a way to cope, not as a personal failing.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The Knights fell behind 3-0 after Canyon’s Mia Saenz hit a two-run home run and added another run on an error.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
Instead, Adames committed an inexcusable baserunning error by forgetting how many outs there were in the seventh inning, allowing Ohtani to complete seven scoreless innings as the Giants’ three-game winning streak was snapped.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fault. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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