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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
The app can also relay low battery warnings, faults, and precautionary warnings of low-level carbon monoxide detection. Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2025 The case was settled for $165,000 late last year, with neither side admitting fault. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
Colorado Department of Transportation officials faulted the study for using old data and leaving out recent efforts to refocus state investments and improve roads. Bruce Finley, The Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2025 Few could fault Whitesell for seeking a fresh start with a focus on sports and live events. Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fault
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fault
Noun
  • However, economists say trade deficits aren’t a sign of national weakness.
    Time, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The dollar strengthened after days of weakness, and oil rose back above $60, starting to climb out of a danger zone.
    Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There have been expensive product mistakes and lots of trial and error with brushes, clips, hair dryers….
    Liz Krieger, Allure, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Case in point, over one-third of a side’s chance creation from a one-off mistake by their opponent, isn’t a formula for lasting success.
    Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The conversation should be about building better connections and addressing the real issues that matter to Latino communities, rather than unfairly assigning blame.
    Jesse Mejia, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2025
  • While Fujimoto can justifiably distance himself from blame, there is another controversy to which he is more intimately tied: the fate of the Grand Ring.
    Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • With the help of this technology, defects were significantly reduced.
    Michael Amori, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Doctors later discovered that Figari’s stroke was caused by a previously undetected congenital heart defect called a patent foramen ovale (PFO), in which a hole between the left and right chambers of the heart is left open as opposed to closing after birth, according to Penn Medicine.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The strategy is straightforward: invest at least $2,000 in a company's stock to gain shareholder rights, then submit resolutions pushing for corporate responsibility.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • These advances will shift operations, teams, responsibility and strategic focus.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The end of the parole program is part of Trump’s crackdown on legal immigration paths that allow people to temporarily come to the U.S. Republicans also criticized the parole program as an overreach and abuse of executive presidential power.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Progressives are criticizing tariffs for boosting prices and triggering international chaos.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Organizations must stop treating burnout as a personal failing or an unavoidable reality of today’s workplace, and start recognizing it as a systemic issue.
    William Arruda, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • One major failing has been a slow response to an obvious need for more water storage — either in reservoirs or underground aquifers — to capture winter rains and spring snowmelts as a buffer for dry years.
    Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Graham Pauley singled and advanced to third when a fielder’s choice turned into a throwing error on Bohm.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors.
    Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fault. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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