as in defect
something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing
the first mirror had a blemish on its surface, so we took it back to the store
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to mar
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
a single indiscretion blemished the rabbi's reputation for years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to damage
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
a scratch blemished the finish on the car
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blemish
Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Chris Oddy, the production designer, meticulously recreated the hut on the stage down to matching floorboards with similar blemishes in similar places to have this seamless match.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2025
Emily Reynolds, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Amorim cupped his hand round the back of Casemiro’s neck as the midfielder’s eyes focused down on the turf, a man possibly contemplating how his perfect record in five Champions League finals had become blemished with a loss in the equivalent in Europe’s second-tier competition.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for blemish
Noun
The latter is formulated with salicylic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid to help flatten and soothe blemishes fast.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Chris Oddy, the production designer, meticulously recreated the hut on the stage down to matching floorboards with similar blemishes in similar places to have this seamless match.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
Reputational damage occurs when a business’s name is blemished in some manner.
—Emily Reynolds, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Amorim cupped his hand round the back of Casemiro’s neck as the midfielder’s eyes focused down on the turf, a man possibly contemplating how his perfect record in five Champions League finals had become blemished with a loss in the equivalent in Europe’s second-tier competition.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for blemish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blemish
Noun
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Other higher-risk groups include those with congenital heart defects or disorders, structural heart problems, or a history of coronary artery disease or heart failure.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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Berchtold was later acquitted of the kidnapping charges by reason of mental defect.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Though his career was marked by flashes of brilliance, including another 1,400-yard rushing season in 2015, it was also marred by injuries and off-field challenges.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
20 Oct. 2025
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But the country’s industrial innovation has also been marred by production overcapacity.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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An artillery round fired over Interstate 5 at Sunday’s live-fire demonstration at Camp Pendleton prematurely detonated, striking and damaging a California Highway Patrol vehicle that was part of Vice President JD Vance’s detail, the CHP said Sunday.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Oct. 2025
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Thermal runaway, or self-heating, can occur without warning in lithium batteries as a result of various factors, including if the battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged or improperly packed, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Dark brown blotches of varying sizes dot their sides and back.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
7 Oct. 2025
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This fungal disease appears as gray blotches on the bark, eventually developing into sunken cankers.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That means Zaha will be suspended for Game 1 of the playoffs against NYCFC, which tainted an otherwise near-perfect evening for the home team.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
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In its new filing, Mangione’s defense team expressed concern about tainting the pool of prospective jurors.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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From January to June, more than 3,100 people were reported killed across Haiti and an additional 1,100 reported injured, according to the United Nations.—
NPR,
NPR,
17 Oct. 2025
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Ten minutes later, Martinelli actually scored after making a good run in behind from the right wing as Saka had gone off injured.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Its naked carbon-fiber body bears the scuffs and scars of life as a development hack, but its steroidal wheelarches, extendable rear spoiler, and brutal diffuser deliver an emphatic statement of intent.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
15 Oct. 2025
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Those living in areas near the recent burn scars or in areas prone to flooding should listen to local authorities and be prepared to take action should flooding develop.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After washing new jeans, use a damp cloth to remove any lingering dyes that can stain the plastic parts and lid of your washing machine.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
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Police added that no evidence of postmortem fractures were found on the remains, adding that forensic investigators found soil adherence and staining that suggest the remains may have been in the ground for over five decades.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blemish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blemish. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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