as in defects
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in stains
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 damages
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 blemishes
Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 24 Mar. 2026
On earlier test loops around Portugal, some tarmac blemishes were noted.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2026
One of the few big blemishes on Adebayo’s All-NBA and Defensive Player of the Year resumes is the Heat’s record, with a panel of media members voting for these awards.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Ohtani didn’t give up a run in those 4 ⅓ innings, and the only other blemishes on the performance were a pair of walks and a hit batter.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
The Chapek chapter and previous succession about-faces that saw presumed heirs-apparent like Tom Staggs leave the company were blemishes on Iger’s otherwise strong record.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
The RedHawks also survived an overtime scare on the road at their archrival, Ohio University, last weekend to complete the regular season with no blemishes.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
But these are minor blemishes in a production whose visual richness focuses attention on the music rather than nudge it off to the side.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
Grade A condition means there could be light cosmetic blemishes on the case.
—Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
Rocker still has considerable upside despite those blemishes, and with only 159 2/3 total professional innings under his belt, the 26-year-old is far from a finished product.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 24 Mar. 2026
On earlier test loops around Portugal, some tarmac blemishes were noted.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2026
One of the few big blemishes on Adebayo’s All-NBA and Defensive Player of the Year resumes is the Heat’s record, with a panel of media members voting for these awards.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Ohtani didn’t give up a run in those 4 ⅓ innings, and the only other blemishes on the performance were a pair of walks and a hit batter.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
The Chapek chapter and previous succession about-faces that saw presumed heirs-apparent like Tom Staggs leave the company were blemishes on Iger’s otherwise strong record.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
The RedHawks also survived an overtime scare on the road at their archrival, Ohio University, last weekend to complete the regular season with no blemishes.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
But these are minor blemishes in a production whose visual richness focuses attention on the music rather than nudge it off to the side.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
Grade A condition means there could be light cosmetic blemishes on the case.
—Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blemishes
Noun
-
Inside these materials, the researchers created tiny defects called torons.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Surgeons can intervene when a baby is born blind, deaf and with heart defects after being exposed to rubella in the womb, but the child is still likely to face a life shaped by disability.—
Patricia Callahan,
ProPublica,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Every failure of the state now stains the turban as well as the uniform.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The piercing doesn't necessarily damage the trees, but their excrement, which is high in sugar, stains the trees and blocks photosynthesis, which eventually suffocates the trees, the researchers said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This exposure damages the DNA in skin cells and can trigger changes that cause those cells to grow out of control and turn cancerous.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Paralytic polio occurs when the virus damages motor neurons that control muscles.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The recent scars of Hezbollah's activities were all too visible.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The people who review the movies for the most part bear those same distinctive scars.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The sarcasm taints the question but doesn’t invalidate it.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The film centered on the Environmental Protection Agency encasing the Simpsons’ hometown of Springfield in a dome after Homer taints the area’s water supply.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
No sadness mars the purity of its paranoia.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
However, an earnestness mars most of the proceedings.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Early salt damage often appears as pale, chalky blotches or uneven fading in the paint finish.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Its purple black center was surrounded by blotches of varying shades and textures, raised or sunken at places.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pushing too much hostility between team members or pushing Anthony too hard to be the peacekeeper could easily create an ugly atmosphere that spoils the vibe.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Frozen fruit keeps it affordable year-round and nothing spoils mid-week.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blemishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blemishes. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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