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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

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
Instead, the crew of the historic Artemis II mission headed around the moon reported a blinking fault light on their lunar latrine. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026 Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 280 million people, sits on major seismic faults and is frequently hit by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
Cuban officials have previously attributed them to US economic sanctions, though critics have also faulted a lack of investment in the island’s ailing generation system. Michael Rios, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026 Service simply cannot be faulted in terms of friendliness and sweetness, though efficiency is perhaps another matter. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fault
Noun
  • If not treated early, the infection can progress to more serious symptoms, such as joint swelling and arthritis, nerve pain, tingling or numbness, facial muscle weakness, heart inflammation and difficulties with memory or concentration.
    Emily Bache, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
  • To play for Hurley is to understand that taking a play off is not acceptable, that bending over and tugging at your short hems – a sure sign, in Hurley’s estimation, of weakness – will earn you either a death stare or a run up the steps.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • There were almost too many mistakes to count.
    Jeffrey Eugenides, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Getting your taxes done early can help reduce stress, avoid last-minute mistakes, and give you more time to fix any issues, such as missing forms or incorrect personal information.
    Alora Bopray, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • This dynamic, known in counseling circles as partner-blame, is well documented in Christian purity and addiction-recovery literature.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
  • When voters worry about their wallets, incumbents usually get the blame.
    Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Higher rates of birth defects among Hispanic moms Nationwide, Hispanic women have the highest rates of having those defects during pregnancy.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
  • A number of states are considering legislation requiring food makers to add folic acid to corn masa flour used to make tortillas in a bid to tackle child health defects.
    Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • All federal, state and/or local income and other taxes, if any, are the winner’s sole responsibility.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Greene says that responsibility belongs to local police departments.
    Ubah Ali, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Two advisers to Qatar told me that Global Risk had also conducted background checks and written reports on people linked to campaigns criticizing Qatar; corporate-intelligence firms often provide such open-source research.
    David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • However, in a pair of letters to the editor published in the Journal of Pediatrics, doctors criticized the article as hyped.
    David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Nicole Tallman’s job as a senior staffer under Miami-Dade County’s mayor puts her on the frontlines of county government’s many failings, mishaps and challenges.
    Douglas Hanks April 1, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Before 1956, addiction to drugs and alcohol were considered failings in morality or personal will.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Kody Clemens scored on an error by five-time Gold Glove-winning catcher Salvador Perez in the second, and Byron Buxton added a sacrifice fly off John Schreiber in the eighth, before the Twins teed off against Royals reliever Steven Cruz in the ninth.
    CBS News, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Angels center fielder Mike Trout dropped a Kelly fly ball for a two-base error.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fault. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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