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.

There he sat in the public gallery, Don Corleone-esque, daring the Supreme Court to find fault with his read on birthright citizenship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

But once their grandson left, the locksmith claimed to find fault with the lock itself and said the whole thing needed replacing.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

Slatkin also noted that his parents weren’t enamored of their performance, but then again, he explained that they were temperamentally ever ready to find fault.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 12, 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

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

find fault

Example Sentences

Related Words