Definitions

faulty

[fawl-tee] / ˈfɔl ti /

ADJECTIVE

not working; incorrect

Synonyms

STRONGEST

broken cracked damaged defective deficient erroneous false flawed imprecise inaccurate inadequate incomplete insufficient invalid leaky malfunctioning unreliable

WEAK

adulterated amiss awry bad below par blamable blemished botched debased distorted fallacious fallible frail impaired imperfect inexact injured lame lemon maimed malformed marred out of order rank sick tainted unfit unretentive unsound warped weak wrong

Antonyms

STRONGEST

OK accurate adequate ample complete correct enough faultless fixed flawless honest perfect reliable right sufficient true unbroken valid working

WEAK

sound strong

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.

Whether the plumber directly caused the problem, failed to identify an underlying issue, or repaired one faulty component only for another to reveal itself, the result is the same: the cistern does not function properly.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

There’s a catch, says Schuna: The more active your hands are, the more faulty the sensor readings can be.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

Investigations have repeatedly pointed to lax inspections, faulty electrical systems and buildings operating beyond their approved use.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

He blames the utilities for high consumer bills and causing deadly wildfires with their faulty utility equipment.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

Either this girl had faulty taste buds or she really was an odd, evil scientist.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Vocabulary lists containing faulty

Fake It 'Til You Make It: Synonyms for "False"

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Drama

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Way Off: Synonyms for "Wrong"

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