find fault
Point out flaws
Find fault is to criticize or point out flaws, often in a nitpicking or habitual way: She's always finding fault with my cooking.
The phrase usually implies the criticism is petty, excessive, or unwelcome—someone who finds fault is looking for problems rather than stumbling upon them.
Low, discontented murmuring
kvetch · carp · fuss · bellyache · grouse · grouch · beef · nitpick
Express sharp disapproval
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- condemnDeclare wrong or guilty
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
berate · chastise · upbraid · admonish · castigate · reproach · scold · lambaste
Trivial objection raised
- cavilPetty objection
- split hairsArgue over trivialities
- pettifoggingFussing over trivialities
- hair-splittingExcessive focus on trivialities
pedantry · perfectionist · overcritical · hypercritical · persnickety · fussy · picky · finicky
Mild anger or disapproval
- dissatisfactionState of being displeased
- disfavorLack of approval
- discontentUnhappiness with circumstances
- objectionExpression of disapproval
opprobrium · scorn · disdain · contempt · reproach · reproof · rebuff · thumbs down
Expressing disapproval or importance
- censoriousSeverely critical in judgment
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
- condemningExpressing severe disapproval
- accusatoryExpressing blame or fault
reproachful · carping · captious · holier-than-thou · self-righteous · sanctimonious · preachy · moralistic
grumble
Low, discontented murmuring
nag · kvetch · carp · fuss · bellyache · grouse · grouch · beef · nitpick · henpeck
rebuke
Express sharp disapproval
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- condemnDeclare wrong or guilty
denounce · berate · chastise · upbraid · admonish · castigate · reproach · scold · lambaste · blame
quibble
Trivial objection raised
- cavilPetty objection
- split hairsArgue over trivialities
- pettifoggingFussing over trivialities
hair-splitting · pedantry · perfectionist · overcritical · hypercritical · persnickety · fussy · picky · finicky · captious
displeasure
Mild anger or disapproval
- dissatisfactionState of being displeased
- disfavorLack of approval
- discontentUnhappiness with circumstances
objection · opprobrium · scorn · disdain · contempt · reproach · reproof · rebuff · thumbs down · cold shoulder
critical
Expressing disapproval or importance
- censoriousSeverely critical in judgment
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
- condemningExpressing severe disapproval
accusatory · reproachful · carping · captious · holier-than-thou · self-righteous · sanctimonious · preachy · moralistic · finger-wagging
examine
Study with attention
assess · review · check · probe · dissect · pick over · second-guess · question · challenge · cross-examine
- scoldingscold, scolding, rebuke, berate, reprimand
- disapprovaldisapproval, scowl, disapprove, disapproves, frown
- judgmentsjudgment call, judge, moral judgment, criticize, value judgment
find, fault, found, finding, finds, finder, unfound, faultfinder, faultfinding