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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
This mountain range, and the entire region, is filled with faults generated by that epic geological pileup. Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2025 In my view, only one of these crashes was clearly Waymo’s fault. ArsTechnica, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
Whereas, for example, if AI is part of a feature set, one component faulting does not necessarily cause the user to feel their tasks have been impeded. Agur Jõgi, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 Critics also fault a lack of government investment in infrastructure. Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 14 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
  • Before formally apologizing to her, Phillips tells Danny about how the stringent demands of Dr. Broussard, who visited Maguire in Episode 4, led him to nick a vessel during an outpatient procedure on a 20-year-old man named Julio, and Phillips’ parents then covered up his fatal mistake.
    Max Gao, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Nuggets Podcast: Russell Westbrook’s Minnesota mistake, the Western pecking order and a confidence game Jalen Pickett got advice from Chris Paul once.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In their rush to manage expectations on Tuesday, Republicans have placed the blame squarely on Fine, with some questioning his effectiveness as a candidate.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Trump and his allies have also pinned some of the blame for the war on Zelensky, and just last month Trump himself was attacking Zelensky’s legitimacy because elections have been paused amid the war.
    Laura Kelly, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The pictures are fed through a machine learning algorithm to spot possible defects.
    Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Smart Manufacturing: High-resolution images of equipment, materials, and defect patterns are vital for computer vision models in automation and quality control.
    Max (Chong) Li, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Skills and experience requirements: a minimum of 10 years of experience in a professional services leadership role confirmable P&L responsibilities and experience managing large teams.
    Terina Allen, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Even if these next steps don’t seem like a drastic transition to you, the sheer concept of rigid labels can feel like a pressure point to others—one that comes with more expectations, responsibility, and a level of intimacy that can be intimidating for some.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In a video posted to X, Brand thanked his fans for messages of support, then criticized the British government and legal system before addressing the charges directly.
    Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Critics of executive overreach have long criticized the Office of Legal Counsel as too permissive.
    Charlie Savage, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Despite efforts by the small Republican contingent in the state Legislature to cast light on these failings, the agency remained immune from true accountability until the pandemic-era disaster struck.
    Lanhee J. Chen, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
  • But the fund’s failings struck at the heart of New York’s intentions, said Eric Olson, a corporate and finance lawyer at Cleary Gottlieb, a white-shoe firm helping some licensees to develop their businesses pro bono.
    Ashley Southall, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors.
    Sid Evans, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The margins for error are always going to be thin on a cold, wet night like Monday, but Juan Soto is a safe bet any night.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fault. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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