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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The premise of the RDA was to redevelop blighted areas, revitalize others and create more affordable housing. Terri Daxon, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026 The whole point of a STAR bond project, after all, is to attract tourism and sales tax revenues that wouldn’t have otherwise existed in blighted areas using public resources. Sofi Zeman january 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2026 Midwest City is likely to gain control of the blighted Heritage Park Mall within the next few weeks following a pair of recent court rulings issued against owner Ahmad Bahreini. Steve Lackmeyer, Oklahoman, 14 Jan. 2026 Government blight busting The city of Detroit has demolished tens of thousands of blighted houses over the past 13 or so years under Mayor Mike Duggan and then-mayor Dave Bing. Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025 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 28 Jan. 2026.

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