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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
Delta is faithful to a fault, an excuse to use a new game engine as a selling point while still producing nearly the exact same product. George Yang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025 Cats are known for their mischief—but some instances of disarray are just not their fault. Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
The suit also faults the Federal Aviation Administration for allowing the congested airspace to exist and the actions of controllers. Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025 Bullied on social media by kids at school, Jamie found a network of online communities that portrayed men as victims and faulted women for male loneliness. Laura Yuen, Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fault
Noun
  • Though the Red Sox did shoot themselves in the foot with base-running, fielding and bunting failures in Game 2, thus costing them their shot at reaching the ALDS, Game 3 was a bit more representative of the Red Sox and their weaknesses.
    Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • However, other small business indicators show weakness.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Steelers, Saints, Cardinals Sam Darnold was nearly perfect (28-of-34 passing for 341 yards and four touchdowns), but his one mistake was a costly interception late that set up the Bucs’ winning field goal.
    Chad Graff, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Mahomes methodically pushed the offense to Jacksonville’s goal line before making what was a game-changing mistake.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • On multiple occasions, Johnson has pointed the blame at those who flee police and credited officers with showing restraint in pursuits.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Democrats and Republicans in Congress have been playing the blame game this week, accusing the other of not being willing to negotiate.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But its stock’s advance has lagged that of rival GM as costly recalls to fix quality defects have detracted from Farley’s strategic refocusing and efforts to improve profit margins.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • By protecting tungsten diselenide’s atomic-scale defects, the coating dramatically improved photon reliability.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots toward crowds in some instances and denied responsibility for other casualties near aid hubs.
    Soph Warnes, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Bigger responsibilities were on the horizon.
    Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some council members have criticized the proposal, citing a lack of communication and calling the move premature.
    Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • So far, the league’s response has been not to fix the issue but, instead, to levy fines against players and coaches who criticize refs.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Hilary Putnam, one of the 20th century’s most influential philosophers, stood out as a rare figure who treated changing his mind as a virtue rather than a failing.
    Shai Tubali, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The inquest is expected to consider some or all of the concerns that were raised at the time and reported by The Athletic in the immediate aftermath, with multiple eyewitnesses alleging failings in the care provided by Sheffield Wednesday and its medical services.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Vehicles included in this recall may have an error in the instrument panel software at startup, failing to show speed, brake system information, and tire pressure warning lights.
    Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Yes, plenty of errors were made — six of them by shortstop Trevor Story in September alone — but errors are different from gaffes.
    Steve Buckley, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fault. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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