Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com

find fault with

VERB
blame
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attribute charge chide condemn criticize denounce indict
STRONG
admonish ascribe blast censure disapprove finger frame impute knock rap rebuke reprehend reproach reprove roast saddle skin tax upbraid
WEAK
blow the whistle on climb all over denunciate express disapprobation hold responsible jump all over jump down one's throat lay a bad trip on lay at one's door lay to let one have it lower the boom pass the buck point the finger stick it to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
absolve acquit approve compliment exonerate free laud praise
STRONG
endorse flatter sanction
WEAK
applaud commend exalt exculpate thank
VERB
censure
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admonish berate castigate chastise chide denounce discipline rebuff rebuke reprimand reproach scold
STRONG
abuse animadvert asperse attack backbite blame cavil contemn denigrate deprecate disapprove disparage impugn incriminate judge knock lecture ostracize remonstrate reprehend reprove upbraid
WEAK
carp at cut up exprobate get after look askance pick apart pull apart read out take to task tear apart tell off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve commend compliment flatter forgive laud praise
STRONG
agree cherish defend endorse protect sanction
WEAK
allow permit
VERB
condemn
Synonyms
STRONGEST
castigate censure chide criticize decry denounce punish sentence
STRONG
adjudge belittle damn deprecate depreciate disapprove disparage doom frame judge knock name pronounce proscribe reprehend reproach reprobate reprove skin upbraid
WEAK
blow whistle on call down come down on denunciate find guilty hang something on lay at one's door let have it pass sentence on pin it on point finger at put away put down send up send up the river thumbs down on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve compliment laud praise
STRONG
build up commend endorse exalt sanction
WEAK
absolve acquit clear discharge exonerate free pardon release set free
VERB
depreciate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lower undervalue
STRONG
abuse asperse attack calumniate censure condemn contemn decry defame denigrate denounce deprecate deride derogate detract discount discountenance discredit disgrace disparage fault humble knock malign minimize rap revile roast scorn slam slander slight slur smear spurn traduce underestimate underrate vilify
WEAK
clamor against dispraise look down on put down run down scoff at sneer at take down a peg
Antonyms
STRONGEST
praise
STRONG
approve build up cherish commend compliment defend endorse esteem exaggerate exalt flatter honor increase laud maximize overestimate overrate protect respect revere sanction support
WEAK
gain value raise rate recommend
VERB
disapprove
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decry denounce deplore dislike oppose reject veto
STRONG
blame censure chastise criticize damn deprecate detract disallow discountenance disesteem disfavor dismiss expostulate nix pan refuse remonstrate reprehend reprobate reprove slam spurn
WEAK
discommend dispraise find unacceptable frown on look askance at look down on object to pass on set aside take dim view of take exception to turn down zing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
allow approve compliment praise ratify sanction
STRONG
accept commend endorse exalt laud permit promote welcome
WEAK
agree like love

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.

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

While the coroner found Marina had died from a recognised but very rare complication of the AstraZeneca vaccine, he did not find fault with the NHS for failing to diagnose it quickly enough.

From BBC • Aug. 23, 2024

Supporters of a single-payer model find fault with the existing healthcare system that leaves many patients paying astronomical co-pays and some haunted by fear of the debt they will accrue from medical procedures.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2023

Regardless of how well people think the current custodians of "Star Trek" are minding its legacy, it's tough to find fault with its casting choices – particularly "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."

From Salon • Jun. 23, 2023

Still, it was hard to find fault with Mazoe, and the crime rate was certainly low.

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer