as in weaknesses
a defect in character
could tolerate my uncle's foibles because we loved him dearly
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Recent Examples of foibles
Assayas offers anecdotes, a feuilleton of tyranny in which the foibles of the mighty and the ruthless reveal the sentimental side of cruelty, the amusement value of ugly deeds, and the polite side of monstrous ideas.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
The British sketch comedy troupe Monty Python loved taking aim at contemporary foibles through its twisted and liberal reading of history.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 29 Apr. 2026
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, literature will outlast the foibles of misguided mortals.
—Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Lindsay-Abaire, who has a fondness for a good turn of phrase and an ear for the foibles of the tristate suburbs (both figuring in his Kimberly Akimbo), has said he was inspired in part by following his own neighborhood’s Google group, which had vicious fights about drainage systems.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
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
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
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
The British sketch comedy troupe Monty Python loved taking aim at contemporary foibles through its twisted and liberal reading of history.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 29 Apr. 2026
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, literature will outlast the foibles of misguided mortals.
—Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Lindsay-Abaire, who has a fondness for a good turn of phrase and an ear for the foibles of the tristate suburbs (both figuring in his Kimberly Akimbo), has said he was inspired in part by following his own neighborhood’s Google group, which had vicious fights about drainage systems.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foibles
Noun
-
The move also reflects a broader shift underway in fintech after the collapse of fintech middleman Synapse exposed weaknesses in the partnership model that powered much of the industry’s growth over the past decade.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
-
Rather than strengthening xAI’s position in the industry, the trial mostly served to illustrate its various weaknesses.—
Nikita Ostrovsky,
Time,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The ongoing war in Iran could also seriously complicate cable repair attempts as maintenance vessels must remain stationary for extended periods while fixing faults, experts say.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
-
The researchers also say the study highlights how fluids inside faults can strongly influence earthquake behavior, something scientists are increasingly recognizing as a key factor in seismic activity.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Duren has been aware of his shortcomings over the last two seasons.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Hutchins also was a known press critic who saw the media as an important means of education and lamented the media’s shortcomings.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Genius and grit can mask a lot of sins.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
-
The Orson subplot feels like the show is shooting one too many fish in the barrel, because the sins of the grown-ups provide enough targets on their own.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foibles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foibles. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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