fault 1 of 2

noun

ˈfȯlt How to pronounce fault (audio)
Definition of faultnext
1
as in weakness
a defect in character the common fault of being quick to judge others

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2
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy there's a fault somewhere in the program

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3
as in blame
responsibility for wrongdoing or failure getting the time of the performance wrong was entirely my fault

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4
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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5
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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Synonym Chooser

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

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
There is the occasional bad day, which is never her fault. —Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026 The fault, Gross said, lies with KU Med. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
Analysts fault her for lacking a strategy to revive sales once the COVID electronics boom faded, leaving Bonfig to tackle the reinvention. —Diane Brady, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026 In November, Gentle faulted her claim for lack of evidence. —Craig R. McCoy, ProPublica, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fault
  1. weakness
  2. mistake
  3. blame
  4. defect
  5. responsibility
  6. criticize
  7. failing
  8. error
Noun
  • Some analysts have raised alarms about how weakness in a key node of the web, like OpenAI, could set off a chain reaction that could threaten the entire AI ecosystem.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Prior to his senior year, Maloney worked extremely hard to correct his weakness.
    — Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • Unfortunately, admitting mistakes doesn’t come easily for many people.
    — Hartford Courant, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
  • To avoid this big mistake, figure out in advance exactly how deep the hole should be, and be careful not to dig any deeper.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of mistake
Noun
  • On Sunday, Juan Soto said the blame falls on the players — not on Mendoza or president of baseball operations David Stearns — after the Mets fell to 9-19, tied for the worst record in baseball.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
  • But the players should take their fair share of the blame, too.
    — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of blame
Noun
  • The concerns are not about McCoy’s ACL, but rather a bone plug that was used to repair a cartilage defect, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
  • That defect involves payments that were not properly factored into final calculations during a system blackout that occurred while switching to the new Tyler platform, officials said.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Definition of defect
Noun
  • August 23 – September 22 Clarity matters most today when money or responsibilities come up.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
  • While announcing Jacobson’s hiring, Stagwell said her responsibilities will include expanding ReachTV’s footprint and deepening its content partnerships.
    — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Verb
  • Again, Gulutzan was reluctant to criticize his team too harshly given how close the series has been.
    — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • He was criticized for not spending enough time in the city and for his acceptance of unreported concert and sports tickets.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Definition of criticize
Noun
  • Dombrowski, like Breslow, is more responsible than his manager for the failings of his club, which ended its 10-game losing streak on Saturday night but still is worse off than the Red Sox at 9-18.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Now it had been relegated again to a leftist cause, a symbol of anti-imperial resistance for some and the face of communism’s failings for others.
    — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of failing
Noun
  • Gobeille led off the seventh with an infield single up the middle, and an error on Kiefer’s bunt put both on.
    — Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
  • During day three of the trial, Elon Musk struggled to present a confident front, which led to a number of unforced errors.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 30 Apr. 2026
Definition of error

Phrases Containing fault

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faugh
fault
faulted
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on fault

Nglish: Translation of fault for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fault

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