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

The Yankees’ title drought, tied for the longest since 1923, is the fault of many — players (including Judge) and decision-makers alike. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Facts are faced, faults are noted, death and life are seen and held. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026

Verb

Some students at the event blamed Cornell officials for not doing enough to protect the former student, identified as Jane Doe, while others faulted university investigators and broader institutional issues, including fraternity culture. — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026 Hochul also faulted Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten for not doing a more comprehensive investigation. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fault

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fault

Noun

Every monster has unique strengths and weaknesses, and each demands a different response.

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
As rules and institutions constrain less and brute power matters more, countries will seek partners to help them blunt sanctions, access critical technologies, compensate for military weaknesses, expand their room for maneuver, and resist isolation.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of weakness

Noun

In Kundassery’s view, the Democratic Party had made a critical mistake in the first few months of 2025.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
To keep errors in check, each graph is shown to multiple volunteers, and their answers are combined so that individual mistakes average out, according to the project's website.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of mistake

Noun

Trump administration officials and allies are starting to debate who will shoulder the blame if Republicans perform poorly in November.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Congressman John James met for their second and final debate before Election Day on Thursday night, this time trading blame for the state's condition.

— Elle Meyers, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of blame

Noun

Indeed, the film almost seems to deliberately court these defects, as if to focus its audience on appreciating the beauty that survives them.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2026
But Reddit users say images shared there show something more dramatic that appears to be a defect.

— Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of defect

Noun

No perpetrators have been publicly identified, and no claims of responsibility have been made public.

— JOHN LEICESTER, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
The carrier is expected to hold NATO command ship responsibilities until mid-2027, positioning it to lead a multinational naval force if activated during an international crisis.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of responsibility

Noun

The Army report highlighted how the air traffic controller at Reagan National Airport could have prevented the crash, but also acknowledged the military’s own failings and other contributing factors.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
The Army report highlighted how the air traffic controller in the tower at Reagan National Airport could have prevented the crash, but also acknowledged the military’s own failings.

— Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of failing

Noun

Someone who visits the malicious website directly may see a 404 error page instead of the fake installer.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
The experts, who had all studied AI in academic settings, all brought up the ironies of the automation problem, where AI makes errors that humans can’t catch.

— Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of error

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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 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fault

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verb

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More from Merriam-Webster on fault

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Word of the Day

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