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

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

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

The gas was released on maternity units when cannisters were connected, birthing mothers exhaled, and when the equipment was faulty, according to papers filed at the High Court.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

After a good five minutes of this, he gave the envelope a faulty tap and had to reach out quickly and grab it.

From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger

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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