FAULT Synonyms: 229 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'fault' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fault are failing , foible , frailty , and vice . While all these words mean "an imperfection or weakness of character," fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit. // a writer of many virtues and few faults

Q: When could 'failing' be used to replace 'fault'?

The words failing and fault can be used in similar contexts, but failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character. // being late is a failing of mine

Q: When might 'foible' be a better fit than 'fault'?

Although the words foible and fault have much in common, foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy. // an eccentric's charming foibles

Q: In what contexts can 'frailty' take the place of 'fault'?

While the synonyms frailty and fault are close in meaning, frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation. // human frailties

Q: When is it sensible to use 'vice' instead of 'fault'?

The synonyms vice and fault are sometimes interchangeable, but vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others. // compulsive gambling was his vice

fault 1 of 2

noun

ˈfȯlt

Definition of fault

as in weakness

a defect in character the common fault of being quick to judge others

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as in mistake

an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy there's a fault somewhere in the program

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as in blame

responsibility for wrongdoing or failure getting the time of the performance wrong was entirely my fault

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as in defect

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

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as in responsibility

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

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fault

2 of 2

verb

as in to blame

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

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How does the noun fault differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fault are failing, foible, frailty, and vice. While all these words mean "an imperfection or weakness of character," fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit.

a writer of many virtues and few faults

When could failing be used to replace fault?

The words failing and fault can be used in similar contexts, but failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character.

being late is a failing of mine

When might foible be a better fit than fault?

Although the words foible and fault have much in common, foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy.

an eccentric's charming foibles

In what contexts can frailty take the place of fault?

While the synonyms frailty and fault are close in meaning, frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation.

human frailties

When is it sensible to use vice instead of fault?

The synonyms vice and fault are sometimes interchangeable, but vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others.

compulsive gambling was his vice

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 fault

Noun

Through no fault, or aspiration, of its own, the WNBA has turned into a vehicle to talk about an array of divisive societal issues. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026 Boeing has admitted fault in these tragedies, attributing the cause of the crashes to a flawed Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Tagovailoa threw a pick six in the final team period of the day and faulted himself for bad ball placement. — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Law enforcement was also faulted for failing to initially secure the house, thereby allowing numerous people to enter before JonBenét’s body was discovered. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fault

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fault

Noun

Researchers point out that this ability could make maritime simulations more realistic while helping identify weaknesses in operational plans.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Summary Several investor rights firms are threatening class actions against into Suja Life after its stock plummeted following disappointing Q2 earnings and reduced guidance, attributed to grocery channel weakness.

— Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of weakness

Noun

The leaves might still be green, and the branches still there, but a huge structural defect may be hidden to property owners who don’t know what to look for.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Even though Vaughn's initial plea was not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, and a mental status exam was ordered, no pretrial tests were done.

— Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of defect

Noun

Handle one visible fix, share one responsibility, or set up tomorrow’s essentials.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
For smaller practices, the development of digital outreach often takes place alongside patient care and routine administrative responsibilities.

— Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of responsibility

Verb

The move came days after Stephens publicly criticized EMCC and Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference leadership over changes to the league’s football schedule and playoff format.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also defended the decision to increase bond purchases earlier last month, after investor Stanley Druckenmiller criticized the move.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of criticize

Noun

Modern interpreters have read his 10 heads as signifying his vast knowledge of 10 sacred texts, or alternately his 10 ethical failings, but the Ramayana account describes him as 10-headed from birth.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
The instinct for many researchers is to treat uncertainty as a failing, something to paper over before anyone notices.

— Aleeza Gerstein, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of failing

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faugh

fault

faulted

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“Fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fault. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of fault

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Synonyms of fault

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing fault

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More from Merriam-Webster on fault

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

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Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

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