blighted

adjective

blight·​ed ˈblī-təd How to pronounce blighted (audio)
Synonyms of blightednext
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
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Costco sought to transform blighted area in KC 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, 1 June 2026 Now, residents and Mayor Eddie Melton are making efforts to revitalize the city — the childhood home of Michael Jackson and his brothers — by tearing down blighted buildings and pursuing a ten-year redevelopment plan. Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026 The site fell into neglect and became a blighted public nuisance. George Avalos, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026 On the other hand, in such a blighted landscape, AI could, perhaps, come not as a vulture to pick over the remains but a new life force to resuscitate them. Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blighted

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blighted was in 1665

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Cite this Entry

“Blighted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blighted. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

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