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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

fault

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verb

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
Edison agreed to pay the settlement within 60 days of the effective date of the agreement, which was May 14, without admitting wrongdoing or fault. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025 The first was that Netanyahu was the ultimate guarantor of Israeli security, a far-sighted hawk who, for all his faults, could be relied on to keep Israelis safe. Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
Verb
But the prime minister’s recalcitrance on the subject of a future Palestinian state, long a Saudi condition, is being faulted as one of the reasons Israel is missing out on this opportunity. Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 14 May 2025 Even after the jury’s verdict, Kirk’s supporters continued to fault Luna, and the controversy took a political turn as a growing number of conservative accounts chimed in. Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fault
Noun
  • One weakness in Capture One's utility as a workflow solution has been its lack of sharing to established online photo venues, but there's a ray of light on this count.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 28 May 2025
  • While the dollar strengthened for the second day on Wednesday, Jefferies thinks the greenback could be in for an extended period of weakness.
    Michelle Fox, CNBC, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • Playing in the first group, Wong birdied the second hole and made up for his lone mistake (a bogey on No. 3) with birdies at seven and 11 to maintain a slim lead.
    Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
  • On one hand, speed always enables Chinese players to adapt faster and, if necessary, correct mistakes faster.
    Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Surviving family and friends suffered the injustice of the blame being put on Liverpool fans.
    Julia Andersen, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
  • In other words, many of their go-to argument tactics are riddled with errors that are designed to deflect blame and derail conversations.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • However, during a recent appearance on the All The Smoke podcast, the NBA veteran blames the crash on the car’s defect.
    Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 21 May 2025
  • In fact, traditional defect detection methods tend to catch the problem at a late stage in the development lifestyle, which will definitely result in a delay and a steep cost.
    David Henkin, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • The president does not have the power to appoint the NPG director; instead, that responsibility is meant to be in the hands of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
    Dan Gooding Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • Kansas City’s City Council voted unanimously in March for city employees to take on direct responsibility of animal control.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • The achievement was especially sweet for Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, who has been widely criticized for the club’s Premier League performance this season.
    David Close, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
  • The decision also sparked fierce debate from religious conservatives who criticized one board member’s staunch opposition to introducing prayer.
    Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • If this story were a parable, our hero would likely suffer some ignoble end as punishment for his moral failings.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 13 May 2025
  • In this newest cover-up, Clooney repeats his film’s original failing — its nostalgic salute to the power of electronic media suasion.
    Armond White, National Review, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Only one major-league third baseman, the San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado, has more errors than Muncy’s eight through his first 49 games of the season.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 27 May 2025
  • The poll of 1,136 Democrats carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2.89 percentage points.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fault. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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