1
as in weaknesses
a defect in character
the common fault of being quick to judge others
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mistakes
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
there's a fault somewhere in the program
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in defects
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in blames
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 criticizes
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
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 faults
David Frum, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
While the extend of the damage was not immediately clear, the incident was serious enough to cause faults that were detected by the Finnish telecommunications provider Elisa, which operates the link.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
Those devices can detect faults, briefly shut off power to clear temporary issues — such as fallen branches — and automatically restore service, reducing outage times.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025
For all their faults, the Red Wings have indeed looked like a team starting to figure some things out.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
While its submission process certainly has its faults, the Best International Feature category has only gotten more and more exciting each year in the past decade since the Academy reconfigured its diversity efforts.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2025
But even the teacher's union, which found faults in the plan, argued for its passage as the reasonable thing to do.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Yet the play’s positive components do not make up for its faults.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Carol is suspicious of the human race's collective new attitude, and sets out trying to figure out how to revert the world back to its old self, faults and all.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
The group’s memo faults the NDAA on two fronts.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 8 Dec. 2025
The Cartwell family's complaint also faults a DPW supervisor for allegedly allowing the truck driver to leave the scene in a Lyft.
—Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
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
Cindy also faults her decision to bring Stephenie with her on the reward.
—EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
The qualities itemized above are not all faults.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
While the extend of the damage was not immediately clear, the incident was serious enough to cause faults that were detected by the Finnish telecommunications provider Elisa, which operates the link.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
Those devices can detect faults, briefly shut off power to clear temporary issues — such as fallen branches — and automatically restore service, reducing outage times.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025
For all their faults, the Red Wings have indeed looked like a team starting to figure some things out.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
While its submission process certainly has its faults, the Best International Feature category has only gotten more and more exciting each year in the past decade since the Academy reconfigured its diversity efforts.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2025
But even the teacher's union, which found faults in the plan, argued for its passage as the reasonable thing to do.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Yet the play’s positive components do not make up for its faults.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Carol is suspicious of the human race's collective new attitude, and sets out trying to figure out how to revert the world back to its old self, faults and all.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
In the Gospels, Jesus faults the Pharisees for insisting on a legalistic Sabbath.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
The group’s memo faults the NDAA on two fronts.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 8 Dec. 2025
The Cartwell family's complaint also faults a DPW supervisor for allegedly allowing the truck driver to leave the scene in a Lyft.
—Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
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
Cindy also faults her decision to bring Stephenie with her on the reward.
—EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faults
Noun
-
Majumdar’s psychological precision is what makes the novel’s geopolitical weaknesses feel so pronounced.—
Tope Folarin,
The Atlantic,
8 Nov. 2025
-
At the time, many companies were launching AI tools like chatbots and internal agents at a remarkable pace, but security safeguards struggled to keep up, which would allow malicious actors to spot weaknesses with methods that cybersecurity tools were never built to detect.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Will Baltimore manage to thwart a Vikings rushing attack that gashed the Lions for 142 yards, cause McCarthy to assume a heavier load than Minnesota’s coaches would like and force the first-year starter into youthful mistakes?—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Hoover finished 319 yards on 34-of-50 passing, but his two turnovers were critical mistakes that led to TCU’s slow start in the first half.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The filing cites past crashes, including a fatal 2009 FedEx MD-11 crash in Tokyo, and alleges similar design flaws or defects in Boeing’s MD-11 may have caused or contributed to the November 4 crash.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Over 830,000 Peloton Bike+ units have been recalled for seat post defects that can cause falls and injuries.—
Amber Brenza,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
One owner who started an Amazon delivery business in 2019 blames skyrocketing premiums for slashing his annual profit from $400,000 to $150,000.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Opposition criticizes the deal Skerrit provided few details on how his island, still facing a housing shortage after Category 5 Hurricane Maria devastated the island in September 2017, plans to accommodate the refugees.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Animal rights is not the only point on which Sliwa criticizes the president.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
In a division where technical shortcomings can be bridged by physical output, Aaronson is the pin-up boy.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
When evaluating the defensive shortcomings from this past season, Schottenheimer has pointed at the lack of takeaways multiple times.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Orlando dominated the home stretch, however, by capitalizing on a string of Celtics errors.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Tied again at 21, the Rattlers had three hitting errors down the stretch.—
Tim Meehan SD,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Take the time to ponder outdated habits or emotional scars.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Steep fjord walls around the island are littered with the scars of past rockslides.—
Paul Bierman,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Faults.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faults. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share