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View synonyms for foible

foible

[ foi-buhl ]

noun

  1. a minor weakness or failing of character; slight flaw or defect:

    an all-too-human foible.

    Synonyms: peculiarity, eccentricity, crotchet, quirk, frailty

    Antonyms: strength

  2. the weaker part of a sword blade, between the middle and the point ( forte ).


foible

/ ˈfɔɪbəl /

noun

  1. a slight peculiarity or minor weakness; idiosyncrasy
  2. See forte
    the most vulnerable part of a sword's blade, from the middle to the tip Compare forte 1


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Word History and Origins

Origin of foible1

First recorded in 1640–50; from French, obsolete form of faible feeble

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Word History and Origins

Origin of foible1

C17: from obsolete French, from obsolete adj: feeble

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Synonym Study

See fault.

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Example Sentences

Human foibles have never been more readily apparent, or more easily exposed.

From Ozy

It’s a provocative, entertaining book that, much like Wolfe did, exposes our collective foibles and makes everybody look a little cartoonish.

These scientists aren’t necessarily familiar with the quirks and foibles of interferometric arrays.

The Steelers are indeed playing awful football, but most of their foibles are on the offensive side of the ball.

The narrative fleshes out humanlike foibles that strike chords in your heart.

His foible met the flash of the other man's forte, and his blade bounced aside like a sprung bow.

Il ne suffit pas de dire que l'esprit est foible, il faut lui faire sentir ses foiblesses.

Emancipation is all a delusion, a foible, a fantasy, an idle dream!

Judith consented to consult her; Mary soon found out the foible of the poor woman.

And now and then a human foible might be recorded by the stonemason without risk of undermining society's foundations.

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FOIAfoie gras