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Fallibility - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Fallibility is the tendency to make mistakes or be wrong. It refers to the inherent human inability to always be perfect or accurate in judgment, knowledge, or action.

fallibility

/ˌfæləˈbɪləti/ /ˌfælɪˈbɪlɪti/

Definition:

The tendency to make mistakes or be wrong; the state of being fallible.

Synonyms:

imperfection, unreliability, frailty, vulnerability

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

infallibility, perfection

Common Collocations:

human fallibility, acknowledge fallibility, inherent fallibility, recognize fallibility

Derivatives:

fallible, fallibly

Usage Tips:

Use "fallibility" to describe human error or limitations, often in contexts like science or decision-making.

Common Phrases:

"to err is human, " "prone to error, " "only human"

Etymology:

From Latin *fallibilis* ("liable to err") + *-ity*, first used in the 17th century.

Examples:

  • 1. The scientist acknowledged the fallibility of her experiment due to limited data.
  • 2. His speech highlighted the fallibility of even the most experienced leaders.
  • 3. We must accept our own fallibility when making difficult choices.
  • 4. The book explores the fallibility of memory over time.

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