as in weaknesses
a defect in character
could tolerate my uncle's foibles because we loved him dearly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 foibles
Munson is a terrific burst of fresh air, enlivening the coach car with humor built from relationship foibles.
—
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
But we’re invited to see him as, despite these foibles, amusing and retaining, and his cynicism about everything and his lack of moral scruple is—actually, we’re invited to see this as a kind of higher wisdom.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
The experiences of Americans − from social movements and racial tensions to government foibles, consumerism, media sensationalism and even the American dream itself − have informed our dramatic productions.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Mostly gone are the staff’s personal foibles and follies, but vanished, too, is the post-COVID-19 despair that hung over the inaugural episodes like an aerosol haze.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
For all of Mayor Adams’ foibles, one of his definite achievements was the passage of the City of Yes package of legislation, which took concrete steps in the direction of facilitating more and larger development.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Kuper, as a man who has lived in many different countries, writes well about the cultures and foibles of soccer teams and their fans.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Writing about their failures, foibles and frustrations did not lessen the hold that these three men and their movie magic have on Fischer.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Yet all these arguments originate with unmistakably human quirks and foibles, many of which defy easy judgments of right and wrong.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
But we’re invited to see him as, despite these foibles, amusing and retaining, and his cynicism about everything and his lack of moral scruple is—actually, we’re invited to see this as a kind of higher wisdom.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
The experiences of Americans − from social movements and racial tensions to government foibles, consumerism, media sensationalism and even the American dream itself − have informed our dramatic productions.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Mostly gone are the staff’s personal foibles and follies, but vanished, too, is the post-COVID-19 despair that hung over the inaugural episodes like an aerosol haze.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
For all of Mayor Adams’ foibles, one of his definite achievements was the passage of the City of Yes package of legislation, which took concrete steps in the direction of facilitating more and larger development.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Kuper, as a man who has lived in many different countries, writes well about the cultures and foibles of soccer teams and their fans.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Writing about their failures, foibles and frustrations did not lessen the hold that these three men and their movie magic have on Fischer.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Yet all these arguments originate with unmistakably human quirks and foibles, many of which defy easy judgments of right and wrong.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foibles
Noun
-
Let’s examine their specs, strengths, weaknesses and differences, along with how Edmunds’ car experts rated them overall and in specific categories.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Their weaknesses could be balanced with machine strengths.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Still, these are minor faults compared to an enjoyably harsh yet perceptive look at the psychology of Silicon Valley elites.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Hurley, for all his faults, is the best coach of basketball.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Curry might not be thrilled with so frequently making the play-in tournament, where the Warriors are 1-3, but no one can blame him for their shortcomings.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Russia, in any event, is a convenient foil for Europe’s own shortcomings in Hungary.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As reported by Artribune, the provocateur, who recently made headlines for inviting the public to confess their sins to him, is now asking participants to bring an object of their choosing to a sunrise gathering, where it can be exchanged with others.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Buddhists often celebrate Vesak with processions, by visiting temples, meditating and through acts of fasting, while adherents in India may immerse themselves in the river Ganga to wash away their sins.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foibles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foibles. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
