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
Unlike today’s earthquake in Colombia, Venezuela’s June quakes occurred on two different fault systems at depths of less than 15 miles (around 24 km). — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026 Piker immediately declared Hamas’ attack Israel’s fault, costing him a third of his viewers. — Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026
Verb
Most earthquakes in North America east of the Rockies, per USGS, occur as faulting within bedrock, usually miles deep. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026 Serving at 3-4 in the second set, Pegula double-faulted at 0-40, giving Gauff a 5-3 lead. — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 7 July 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
  • And Japan’s use of the Fed’s Foreign and International Monetary Authorities Repo Facility is actually a sign of dollar strength rather than weakness.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Evidence points to much of the monthly weakness being related to the end of major events, including the World Cup and America 250.
    — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • The debtor made a mistake to incur the liability, the liability was not covered by adequate insurance, and no settlement was achieved in litigation.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Despite acknowledging mistakes were made, FIFA is still facing a barrage of obstacles that are preventing it and Infantino from moving on from the saga.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of mistake
Noun
  • Ashley Christopher, an attorney and Howard alumna whose son is a sophomore there, thinks Howard shoulders some blame.
    — Matt Brown, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • As Democrats and Republicans point the finger of blame at each other, even resorting to childish name calling, Americans are put in the uncomfortable position of trying to figure out who’s being truthful and who is lying.
    — Mike Patton, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of blame
Noun
  • Because automation was tied to worker empowerment rather than displacement, factory workers actively partnered with engineers to optimize the robots, resulting in defect rates lower than those of their American competitors.
    — Jason Dressel, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The company’s engineering team found that the defect was tied to a design weakness.
    — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of defect
Noun
  • Payton has talked routinely in camp about Coleman being further along than other first-year backs in his ability to grasp pass-protection responsibilities.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Wilson Tamfuh, a public and international law professor at the University of Dschang in West Cameroon, said the country has institutions that can keep the government running when the president delegates responsibilities.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Verb
  • Chief Critic Democratic Party consultant and former President Barack Obama’s ex-campaign adviser David Axelrod criticized the White House’s decision to use the old plane as a decoy with journalists on board.
    — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The two lawmakers have intensely criticized Fauci over the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic for years, with Paul recently releasing diary entries penned by Fauci during the height of the pandemic.
    — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of criticize
Noun
  • Throughout the trial the defense probed what the attorneys described as failings in the thoroughness of the Arlington Police Department’s investigation of the case, particularly the lack of complete photo documentation.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Nosiness is treated as a social failing rather than a cognitive trait.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of failing
Noun
  • However, a dangerous push to cut these crucial programs, especially in Africa, risks repeating past errors and ceding influence to competitors.
    — James K. Glassman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong’s infield single tied the game, and another run scored on the play from a Royals throwing error.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 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 15 Aug. 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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