fault-prone
Tends to malfunction
Fault-prone describes something or someone with a tendency to malfunction, make errors, or break down.
The term appears most often in technical contexts, particularly software engineering, where fault-prone code or systems require frequent debugging or repair.
The legacy database proved fault-prone under heavy traffic.
It can also characterize people who habitually make mistakes, though error-prone is more common in that context.
Inattentive, prone to mistakes
- unreliableNot consistently performing
- fallibleCapable of error
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
- inattentiveNot paying attention
forgetful · negligent · sloppy · distracted · inconsistent · hasty · reckless · imprecise
Horse-drawn cart
- unreliableNot consistently performing
- glitchyProne to malfunctions
- unstableProne to sudden change
- defectiveHaving inherent faults
flawed · brittle · fragile · legacy · untested · unmaintained · debugging · patching
Failure or decomposition
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- unreliableNot consistently performing
- defectiveHaving inherent faults
- wearCarry on person
temperamental · finicky · high-maintenance · repair · service · worn · aging · deteriorating
Open to attack
- unstableProne to sudden change
- unreliableNot consistently performing
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
redundancy · backup · failover · resilience · robustness · downtime · outage · crash
careless
Inattentive, prone to mistakes
- unreliableNot consistently performing
- fallibleCapable of error
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
inattentive · forgetful · negligent · sloppy · distracted · inconsistent · hasty · reckless · imprecise · blundering
buggy
Horse-drawn cart
- unreliableNot consistently performing
- glitchyProne to malfunctions
- unstableProne to sudden change
defective · flawed · brittle · fragile · legacy · untested · unmaintained · debugging · patching · refactoring
breakdown
Failure or decomposition
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- unreliableNot consistently performing
- defectiveHaving inherent faults
wear · temperamental · finicky · high-maintenance · repair · service · worn · aging · deteriorating · problematic
vulnerable
Open to attack
- unstableProne to sudden change
- unreliableNot consistently performing
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
bottleneck · redundancy · backup · failover · resilience · robustness · downtime · outage · crash · recovery
fault-pronereliable
Consistently performing as expected
dependable · foolproof · unfailing · error-free · infallible
fault, prone, faults, faulted, faulting, faultless, faulty, faultily, faultiness