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Definitions

find fault

VERB
bad-mouth
Synonyms
WEAK
belittle criticize cut down to size dis disparage dump on knock malign mudsling pan pooh pooh put down rap rip roast run down slam slander take a dig at take down a peg tear down tear to pieces
VERB
carp
Synonyms
STRONGEST
grumble quibble
STRONG
bother cavil censure complain criticize fuss knock nitpick objurgate pan peck reproach
WEAK
hypercriticize pick at
Antonyms
STRONG
approve compliment laud praise sanction
WEAK
ignore let go
VERB
cavil
Synonyms
STRONG
carp criticize
VERB
chide
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admonish berate blame castigate censure condemn rebuke reprimand reproach scold upbraid
STRONG
check flay monish rate reprehend reprove
WEAK
call down call on the carpet exprobate give a hard time lesson slap on the wrist speak to take down take down a peg talk to tell off tick off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
applaud approve commend compliment exonerate flatter laud praise
VERB
complain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accuse criticize denounce disagree fret gripe grumble lament moan object oppose protest
STRONG
ascribe attack beef bellyache bemoan bewail bitch carp cavil charge contravene defy demur deplore deprecate differ disapprove dissent expostulate fuss gainsay grieve groan grouse growl impute indict lay nag refute remonstrate repine reproach snivel wail whimper whine yammer
WEAK
kick up a fuss look askance make a fuss sound off take exception to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accept agree aid approve compliment concur consent help laud please praise soothe
STRONG
assent be happy defend delight endorse exonerate give in gloat go along protect ratify retreat sanction support surrender
WEAK
applaud be content commend recommend
VERB
criticize
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blame blast castigate censure chastise chide condemn denounce excoriate reprimand
STRONG
bash blister carp clobber disparage fluff fustigate hit knock lambaste pan rap reprehend reprobate reprove rip roast scorch skin slam slog slug trash trim zap
WEAK
animadvert on come down on cut down cut to bits cut up denunciate do a number on dress down fulminate against give bad press jump on nag at nit-pick pick at scathe skin alive take down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve commend compliment exonerate forgive laud praise
STRONG
flatter lose
WEAK
estimate guess suppose
VERB
grouch
Synonyms
STRONG
bellyache carp gripe grouse grumble moan murmur mutter scold whine
Antonyms
STRONG
compliment praise speak clearly
VERB
grumble
Synonyms
STRONGEST
carp fuss gripe groan moan squawk
STRONG
bellyache grouch grouse kick kvetch protest pule repine scold snivel whine
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compliment praise
VERB
knock
Synonyms
STRONGEST
slam
STRONG
abuse belittle blame carp cavil censure condemn denounce deprecate disparage lambaste reprehend reprobate skin
WEAK
alive denunciate run down
Antonyms
STRONG
approve build up commend compliment endorse exonerate laud praise sanction
VERB
nag
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annoy badger berate fuss hector hound irk irritate pester scold tease torment vex
STRONG
bait bug dog eat egg goad harry heckle importune needle nudge plague prod provoke ride upbraid urge worry
WEAK
carp at give a hard time pick at take it out on work on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist compliment delight help make happy please praise soothe
STRONG
discourage dissuade support
WEAK
assuage
VERB
niggle
Synonyms
STRONG
argue carp cavil complain fuss grouse grumble moan nag object
Antonyms
STRONG
agree ignore praise
VERB
pick at/pick on
Synonyms
WEAK
badger bait blame bully carp cavil criticize foment get at get to goad hector incite instigate quibble start tease torment
Antonyms
WEAK
compliment praise
VERB
pick on
Synonyms
STRONGEST
badger bully get at tease torment
WEAK
bait blame carp cavil criticize foment get to goad hector incite instigate pick at provoke quibble start
VERB
quarrel
Synonyms
STRONGEST
argue bicker break with carp complain differ fall out feud spar squabble tangle wrangle
STRONG
altercate battle brawl bump caterwaul cavil charge clash collide contend contest disapprove dispute dissent divide embroil fight hassle row scrap spat strive struggle vary war
WEAK
be at loggerheads cross swords get tough with have it out have words lock horns mix it up object to set to take exception take on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agree concur harmonize ignore
STRONG
approve endorse give in give up keep make peace retreat sanction surrender yield
VERB
remonstrate
Synonyms
STRONG
animadvert blame censure challenge combat complain criticize decry demur deprecate disapprove disparage dispute dissent except expostulate fight inveigh kick nag object oppose protest rain recriminate resist scold withstand
WEAK
frown upon pick at sound off take exception take issue
Antonyms
STRONG
accept agree allow applaud approve commend compliment concur consent endorse exalt flatter go along laud praise sanction support surrender yield
WEAK
concede give in
VERB
vituperate
Synonyms
STRONG
abuse accuse asperse berate blame calumniate castigate censure condemn curse denounce growl insult lambaste lash malign rail rate reproach revile scold smear traduce upbraid vilify
WEAK
bark at bawl out chew out rip into run down tear into tongue-lash yell at
Antonyms
STRONG
absolve approve commend compliment exculpate exonerate flatter honor laud praise uphold

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Many of us can find fault with what we see in the mirror - but Charlotte's intense hatred of her appearance began to take over her life in her early teens.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

Unable to find fault with the judicial process, you pin your hopes on “diplomatic discussions.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

The compliance report quotes the whistleblower as saying that “the purpose was to find fault with the track in order to withhold the license”.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 5, 2024

This year, though, the grumblers went silent as Oscar voters delivered an unimpeachable best picture field, a group of 10 movies that only a self-proclaimed Scrooge could find fault with.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2024

There was always something to find fault with for Shasta had plenty of work to do, mending and washing the nets, cooking the supper, and cleaning the cottage in which they both lived.

From "The Horse and His Boy" by C.S. Lewis