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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 The blighted building had overshadowed recent real estate development and other signs of progress elsewhere in the Midway. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 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 24 Apr. 2026.

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