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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foibles
Noun
-
The actual severity of any shortcomings at OpenAI and how far any weaknesses could spread remain open questions, Yardeni said.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Different types of grass have different strengths and weaknesses.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This will mean that the US can produce the B-21 in numbers faster, but any undiscovered faults with the design could cause major headaches down the line.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
-
While not a precise scientific designation, a megaquake is generally considered a large seismic event placed at an eight or higher on the Richter scale that ruptures along major faults and can trigger further events like tsunamis.—
Connor Sturges,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the attempt has revealed shortcomings and vulnerabilities that were waiting to be exploited—and can no longer be ignored.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The third-year quarterback masked a number of the team’s roster deficiencies in his rookie season, but the combination of injuries, a tougher schedule and roster shortcomings derailed his second season.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are worse sins in the world.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Believers confess their sins to a priest, receive spiritual guidance and absolution and typically are required to make an act of contrition like saying specific prayers.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foibles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foibles. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
