blighted

adjective

blight·​ed ˈblī-təd 

1

botany : affected with blight (see blight entry 1 sense 1)

a blighted plant

This pathogen causes blighted flowers, heavy leaf spotting, and the death of young, green shoots.

—Elsie Cox

2

: in a badly damaged or deteriorated condition

a blighted landscape

a blighted city

… the physicians who work here in some of the nation's most blighted neighborhoods …

—Malcolm Gladwell

3

: made ineffectual : defeated or frustrated

blighted dreams

At every point we are confronted with shattered promises, blighted hopes, irreconcilable dilemmas, good intentions gone astray …

—Gertrude Himmelfarb

Examples of blighted in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Costco opened in 2001 under a plan that dates back to the 1990s, and sought to transform a blighted area with new suburban-style retail development that would benefit local residents. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026

The home construction is part of Gary’s efforts to remove blighted structures, and in March 2025, the city began a second phase of Aetna demolition, according to Post-Tribune archives. — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026

The city’s Appeals Hearing Board held a meeting on June 11 to consider next steps for the blighted parcel. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 24 June 2026

These repairs are absolutely key to broader revitalization plans to restore dignity to our blighted corridors and empty strip-malls. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for blighted

• cited
• frighted
• knighted
• lighted
• plighted
• righted
• sighted
• sited
• slighted
• whited
• affrighted
• alighted