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

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
Most of them are immigrants with no criminal history, their only fault being overstaying a visa or crossing the border without authorization. — Thomas Kennedy, Sun Sentinel, 26 July 2026 The concern arises when every mistake becomes somebody else’s fault and every negative experience is still producing resentment years later. — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Verb
Company researchers then establish communication with the battery management system (BMS), an onboard computer that records operating data like voltage, temperature, charging history, and fault conditions. — IEEE Spectrum, 2 July 2026 If these rotations fail to get results, will Spo take the blame or will fans forget his history and fault the player who is underperforming? — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 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
  • Unlike standard hearing and vision tests, these assessments examine how the brain interprets what the child hears and sees and may help identify underlying weaknesses contributing to behaviors associated with ADHD or autism.
    — Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 25 July 2026
  • Symptoms can include arm or leg pain, numbness, weakness and tingling, and Mayo Clinic advises calling a doctor if pain in the neck or back spreads to an arm or leg.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • This is so many different kinds of humor piled together, from callback to callout to laugh-at-him-not-with-him arrogant mistake to conscious, hyperbolic comic echoing to edgy provocation.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 July 2026
  • In the process of preparing his appeal, the username mistake that led to all these years of disruption was finally discovered.
    — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026
Definition of mistake
Noun
  • The harder cases sound optimistic, proactive, collaborative, and even self-aware, while resentment, blame, negativity and a lack of accountability lurk just underneath the polished delivery.
    — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • Especially when placing blame on the true miscreant is so easily avoided, just blame the Jew.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
Definition of blame
Noun
  • Regrettably, Anolik, who is almost singlehandedly responsible for Babitz’s literary exhumation, has so fallen in love with her subject as to almost blind her to Babitz’s defects, both with respect to her writing and to the life.
    — Steve Wasserman, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2026
  • To capture the earliest stages of failure, the team incorporated photoelasticity, an imaging technique that reveals stress building around tiny defects before visible cracks appear.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026
Definition of defect
Noun
  • The last sentence often appears in Jewish writings, sometimes using non-gendered language, that emphasize taking responsibility when no one else does.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
  • Now that Klarna's involved, however, Apple is happy to launch a payment program without having to shoulder any financial responsibility.
    — Bee Wertheimer, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026
Definition of responsibility
Verb
  • Republican lawmakers roundly criticized those programs, but also accepted the funding, Smith said.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • Officiating has been a major contention point, with players like Napheesa Collier previously criticizing the league.
    — Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of criticize
Noun
  • To compound the film’s failings at the box office, The Death of Robin Hood couldn’t generate much momentum from reviews or audience reactions.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Trump personally sued the Times last year for $15 billion over its coverage of his past business failings.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 July 2026
Definition of failing
Noun
  • High jump is a technical event — while physiology matters, the winner tends to be decided by who can best correct their errors as the bar goes up.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 25 July 2026
  • The device also features a small joystick, likely the 13th key, that can trigger reusable Codex Skills and common workflows such as debugging an error, reviewing a pull request, or refactoring code.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 July 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 30 Jul. 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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