as in imperfect
having a fault
promptly took the defective microwave oven back to the store for a replacement
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defective
People with too few or defective Treg cells often develop autoimmune diseases, where unchecked immune cells mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues or organs.
—
Mitzi Nagarkatti, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
Consumers can return defective products to the retailer of purchase for a full refund.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Once the best-selling EV in GM’s lineup, the Bolt suffered several setbacks, such as several rounds of recalls for defective battery technology with a high chance of bursting into flames.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
The recall number for the faulty seat belts is 283 and the number for the defective charging port door is 282.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defective
Mitzi Nagarkatti, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
Consumers can return defective products to the retailer of purchase for a full refund.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Once the best-selling EV in GM’s lineup, the Bolt suffered several setbacks, such as several rounds of recalls for defective battery technology with a high chance of bursting into flames.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
The recall number for the faulty seat belts is 283 and the number for the defective charging port door is 282.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defective
Adjective
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University of Colorado Boulder (UC Boulder) researchers have closed the gap between math and biology, moving from a neat physics simulation of their animal-pattern theory to something that explains how those crisp yet imperfect designs actually arise in nature.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 Nov. 2025
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To say the least, the film is an emotionally resonant and complex showcase that unabashedly shows Agnes’ imperfect journey through the other side of trauma.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Iran is facing its worst drought in decades, raising fears of evacuations in Tehran while threatening the regime’s stability and nuclear ambitions, according to a leading environmental expert.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Keeping bad things out of my body.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The London punk rebels seized the revolutionary spirit of 1977 with their raw manifesto The Clash, then refined their sound with the flawed Give ‘Em Enough Rope.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
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The foundation of this 2025 team is flawed, and McDaniel should shoulder just as much blame for this team’s issues, which pop up week to week, especially during the losses.—
Omar Kelly
November 7,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Cheney consistently pushed that intelligence, which was later proven to be faulty and at times politically contrived.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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Poor safety measures — including lack of smoke extraction, faulty alarms, inadequate staff training and missing sprinkler systems — allowed fumes to fill upper floors.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While returning, naval ships conducted rapid ammunition replenishment and refueling at the base, while maintenance teams boarded the vessels to repair damaged equipment.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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Older or damaged glassware is more prone to breakage, and items with a metallic trim can cause sparks, much like aluminum foil.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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And then there’s the wreckage of a broken heart and being left to mend it in an era where technology has plunged dating into overdrive.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
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Her dad, Mark, 54, commented with praying, broken heart and crying emojis.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defective. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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