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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of blemish
Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Unfortunately for the Rams, the Eagles and 49ers games are the only two blemishes on Los Angeles’ schedule so far this season.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Pj Green
october 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2025
Reputational damage occurs when a business’s name is blemished in some manner.
—Emily Reynolds, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blemish
Noun
Gausman threw 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, the only blemish another home run by the suddenly red-hot Suárez.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Unfortunately for the Rams, the Eagles and 49ers games are the only two blemishes on Los Angeles’ schedule so far this season.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
Shawnee’s local government, including the City Council, has been blemished by controversy for more than a decade.
—Pj Green
october 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2025
Reputational damage occurs when a business’s name is blemished in some manner.
—Emily Reynolds, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blemish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blemish
Noun
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Demi, who was born and raised in South Africa, had a half-sister, Franje Peters, with a congenital brain defect.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
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When the wafer is rinsed, these clumps redeposit onto the surface, causing the defects.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Even now, plans are underway to determine how best to retire and deorbit the aging laboratory – which has been marred by air leaks and other issues – likely around 2030.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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International rights groups have criticized the electoral process which has been marred by low voter turnout, a night curfew and internet shutdown as protesters have taken to the streets of major cities for the third day since election day.—
Martin K.N Siele,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Just under two million Palestinians—virtually the entire population of Gaza—have been displaced since October 2023, many repeatedly, and Israeli forces have damaged or destroyed more than 90 percent of homes in the Strip.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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This protection also works to protect plants that are marginally hardy in your area, such as hydrangeas blooming on old wood that may not bloom if their flower buds are damaged by cold.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Photos show the Maratus australis spider, which has an intricate pattern of blue and brown blotches edged with bright teal and red-orange stripes.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
4 Nov. 2025
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The one blemish — or ugly blotch — was that crushing 7-2 Champions League defeat against Paris Saint-Germain last week.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bonds and Clemens would be shoo-ins for the Hall had their careers in MLB not been tainted by the accusations.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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In the letter, Radcliffe spoke out against Rowling’s comments and apologized to any Harry Potter fans who have since felt the novel and magical universe has been tainted by the author’s transphobic statements.—
Quispe López,
Them.,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Across Japan, at least 13 people have been killed and more than 100 injured since April this year, according to government figures – the highest numbers since records began in 2006.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Four students and the Suburban's driver were transported to a local hospital, Murphy said, adding that the bus driver was not injured.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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She's had virtually no pain, only a little bit of swelling and no noticeable scars (the incisions were made in her hairline).—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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Hilaria Baldwin only lasted four episodes on Dancing With the Stars, but her scars will take time to fade.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Drone footage shows eight officers approach a motionless Green who appeared slumped over with a large pool of blood staining the driveway.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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Foods like coffee, red wine, fruit and vegetable juices, grease and oils, tea, tomato sauce, and spices like turmeric and curry can stain, as well as ink, markers, and some cleaning chemicals.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blemish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blemish. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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