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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
Most important, in none of the previous San Ramon swarms has a major earthquake been triggered on the Calaveras Fault or other nearby faults. Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026 For weeks in this space, the thought — through no fault of their own — was to swap out Powell and Andrew Wiggins for draft capital, to either further fuel the youth pipeline or to amass and then package picks in a trade for a potential leading man (preferably a Greek leading man). Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
The prosecutor also faulted Busfield for delaying before turning himself in, and for flying to New Mexico instead of turning himself in to authorities near his home in New York so he could be extradited. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026 Some Havana Syndrome victims have spent more than a decade trying to draw attention to their cases, often faulting the government for failing to provide enough support or access to specialized medical care. CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fault
Noun
  • Together, the cases highlight weaknesses in an industry that has long struggled to balance nutritional innovation with safety.
    Jillian Deutsch, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
  • In signing Díaz and Tucker, Los Angeles addressed two areas of weakness by throwing money at the top option on the market.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Instead, recruitment mistakes saw their recent troubles compared to United’s since 2013.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
  • The open availability of this kind of material poses a threat not only to migrants and activists but anyone with a digital footprint, because depending on AI to sort through it will inevitably lead to mistakes.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • When a book under performs, the cover often takes some blame.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
  • The sophomore was the Bruins’ best offensive player on Saturday, but couldn’t escape the blame.
    Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The defect was linked to at least 54 frontal crashes and the deaths of more than a dozen people.
    Christopher DiLella, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The coroner found no anatomical cause of death—no brain bleed, no congenital defects, no reason that an otherwise healthy boy had suddenly died.
    Ben Taub, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The sweeps, in addition to crowd-management responsibilities, are typically dealt with by local police, who often have more experience and training in de-escalating large demonstrations and tamping down civil unrest.
    Anna Schecter, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Glenn initially planned to keep Engstrand on staff while reducing his responsibilities, including stripping him of play-calling duties.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In a letter to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY), the Clintons criticized the committee for dismissing previous subpoenas issued to seven other witnesses on the matter of Epstein.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 2 Feb. 2026
  • The powerful Murdoch media empire has been the source of criticism from Democrats for years, particularly in New York City, where the New York Post has relentlessly criticized, mocked, and uncovered negative stories about its Democratic mayors and politicians.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This is something Director Smith said many of the failings of the First Step Act was because of the prior administrations misallocation of funding under the program.
    Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
  • This is not a failing of the principles of liberalism, however, but a failure of those entrusted to act in its name.
    Philip Mullins, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Medal reallocations have historically surfaced after doping or other cheating cases, but Chiles’ dispute centered on an apparent error by the International Gymnastics Federation, the sport’s governing body.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Elevated prices though have narrowed the margin for error.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fault. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

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