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
But we’re invited to see him as, despite these foibles, amusing and retaining, and his cynicism about everything and his lack of moral scruple is—actually, we’re invited to see this as a kind of higher wisdom.
—
David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 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
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
David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foibles
Noun
-
To actually take stock of the strengths and weaknesses and act accordingly.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
This past week showcased the strengths of carrots and the weaknesses of sticks.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Maybe the mere fact of having been born illustrious, with no apparent faults, with nothing to prove or to be ashamed of, had liberated John from the resentments the rest of us feel, and from the cunning and ambition such resentments fuel.—
Jeffrey Eugenides,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The Zayante and San Andreas faults are considered to be faults that pose the most serious shaking threats in the Santa Cruz County area, according to county officials.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Johnnies thrive on messy, on disruptive pressure that limit possessions to compensate for what is ordinarily their own offensive shortcomings.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Harris’ death underscores growing concerns about the risks of riding small, low-speed electric vehicles and the shortcomings of the user agreements riders have with the companies that rent them.—
Hope Moses,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Woods’ reported admission that his eyes were off the road, whether true or not, is indicative of the warped hierarchy of driving sins our society has established.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The bible writes that Jesus carried the cross to Calvary, where he was crucified and died for the forgiveness of sins.—
Elijah Westbrook,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foibles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foibles. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
