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
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
Adjusting to life in a Purosangue requires a zen-like commitment to dealing with electronic foibles.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
That includes the tacky Featherington family, the cane-wielding Lady Danbury, and the mysterious Lady Whistledown, whose newsletter sets the town ablaze by detailing the foibles of the bold and the beautiful by name.
—Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Jan. 2026
His tendencies and foibles are well known to voters, politicians, and world leaders.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
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
Adjusting to life in a Purosangue requires a zen-like commitment to dealing with electronic foibles.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
That includes the tacky Featherington family, the cane-wielding Lady Danbury, and the mysterious Lady Whistledown, whose newsletter sets the town ablaze by detailing the foibles of the bold and the beautiful by name.
—Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Jan. 2026
His tendencies and foibles are well known to voters, politicians, and world leaders.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foibles
Noun
-
By sector, Morris believes Disney’s headline success masks some underlying weaknesses.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
-
No one is making one another better, playing to strengths or covering up weaknesses.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For all her faults, Harris knows how to read a poll.—
Keith Naughton,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Xcel Energy Colorado's Andrew Holder, director of community relations and local government affairs, explained that devices known as re-closers trip when there are power line faults.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Last year, an investigation concerning her position revealed no material shortcomings.—
Veronica Ortega,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Kyiv is also awaiting White House approval for a major drone production agreement proposed by Ukraine last year, Zelenskyy said Thursday, as countries scramble to modernize their air defenses after the Iran war exposed shortcomings.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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McNair spoke, unsuccessfully, before an Alabama Legislature that wanted to limit how schools teach events, such as the bombing that killed her sister, lest White children feel guilt for the sins of their forebears.—
John Archibald,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2026
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The Bible teaches that lying, stealing, adultery and coveting your neighbor’s property are sins.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foibles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foibles. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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