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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
Officials reject CalMatters’ record requests The day after the crash, CalMatters reviewed footage from a nearby office building’s security camera that appears to show Cervantes wasn’t at fault. Calmatters, Mercury News, 20 June 2025 What happened to him really wasn’t his fault and it wasn’t deserved. C. Mallon, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
Verb
And one Israeli military expert faults Israel’s attempt to manage the complex process at arm’s length. Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 13 June 2025 The same document also faults the application for failing to provide more details on how the company will prevent its satellite from disrupting astronomy, even though AST recently reached a deal with the US National Science Foundation. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fault
Noun
  • Frank is committed to improving players’ strengths and weaknesses, and this is an area that could facilitate Tel’s development.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • The pair argues that Europe risks falling behind not due to a lack of technical capability but because of structural market weaknesses.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Jumping onto Andrew Cuomo’s leaky ship was a devastating mistake for the pro-Israel movement.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
  • My family has a history of a lot of the same mistakes, especially among the men.
    Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • The New York Yankees' infield has underperformed this season, and one of their former top prospects is not free of blame.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • Russia has so far refused U.S. proposals for a 30-day ceasefire, and Trump has expressed increasing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, while also placing blame on Ukraine for not making a deal to end the fighting.
    Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Also last year, Stellantis has recalled thousands of Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 cars because of a manufacturing defect that could cause airbags to rupture unexpectedly, resulting in metal fragments flying out, potentially killing passengers.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 June 2025
  • General Motors has recalled more than 62,000 vehicles because of a potential brake defect that could increase the risk of fire, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Thursday.
    Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Hackers aligned with Iran have claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on President Trump’s Truth Social platform, according to the cyber nonprofit Center for Internet Security (CIS).
    Julia Shapero, The Hill, 23 June 2025
  • The price tag attached to its capabilities could be tweaked at that point, potentially providing some breathing room for the lowest spenders Washington has been pushing for an unprecedented defense expenditure increase, arguing that European allies must take responsibility for their own security.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • At a time when establishing clarity of first principles has never been more urgent, UF’s law school practically dared anyone to criticize the award for whitewashing the Constitution.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
  • Mamdani joined her for a sarcastic infomercial on her account, criticizing Mayor Adams’ record.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • But beneath that was a second failing: the Bears ranked 25th in PFF run-blocking grade from 11 personnel.
    Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Peter Johnston, the BBC’s director of editorial complaints and reviews, is examining the failings that led to the film being broadcast.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • That poll surveyed 658 Virginia residents between May 12 and May 19, and has a weighted margin of error of 5.25 percent.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
  • Many small business workers may not have digital access or face language barriers when missing paperwork or tech errors can result in automatic loss of coverage.
    Rhett Buttle, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fault. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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