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
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.
Recent Examples of blemishes
Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
This is also true for squash with cuts, cracks, or blemishes.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Depending on your skin’s needs, Cica can help refine texture, diminish blemishes, calm redness, and keep the skin supple and well-balanced.
—Alice Abbiadati, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026
The company spent the better part of the twentieth century convincing Americans that the most valuable diamonds were heavy, brilliant, colorless, and free from internal flaws or external blemishes.
—Emilia Petrarca, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
But Bardot’s legacy is not without blemishes, as the actress was mired in several controversies over the years.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
And refresh your makeup with a CC cream that not only hides blemishes and lines but also hydrates and evens skin tone.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
The outer skin should be beige in color and free of blemishes.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 Oct. 2025
But those were the only two blemishes for Scherzer.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
Disappointing playoff performances and a failure to win the sport’s biggest prize with two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson are undoubtedly blemishes on Harbaugh’s otherwise strong resume in Baltimore.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
This is also true for squash with cuts, cracks, or blemishes.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Depending on your skin’s needs, Cica can help refine texture, diminish blemishes, calm redness, and keep the skin supple and well-balanced.
—Alice Abbiadati, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026
The company spent the better part of the twentieth century convincing Americans that the most valuable diamonds were heavy, brilliant, colorless, and free from internal flaws or external blemishes.
—Emilia Petrarca, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
But Bardot’s legacy is not without blemishes, as the actress was mired in several controversies over the years.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
And refresh your makeup with a CC cream that not only hides blemishes and lines but also hydrates and evens skin tone.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
The outer skin should be beige in color and free of blemishes.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 Oct. 2025
But those were the only two blemishes for Scherzer.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blemishes
Noun
-
The filing cites past crashes, including a fatal 2009 FedEx MD-11 crash in Tokyo, and alleges similar design flaws or defects in Boeing’s MD-11 may have caused or contributed to the November 4 crash.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Over 830,000 Peloton Bike+ units have been recalled for seat post defects that can cause falls and injuries.—
Amber Brenza,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Blood still regularly stains the floors of the Coliseum’s rings.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For people with celiac disease, gluten triggers an autoimmune response that damages the small intestine.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Scientists think that chronic inflammation damages the brain and increases the risk of dementia.—
Dana G. Smith,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Take the time to ponder outdated habits or emotional scars.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Steep fjord walls around the island are littered with the scars of past rockslides.—
Paul Bierman,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Deadly holiday weekend mars broad crime drop The back-and-forth followed a Labor Day weekend of deadly violence in Chicago worse than in the previous two years, with seven people shot to death, according to preliminary Chicago Police Department reports.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Valuing a project at cost of production rather than value in an arm’s length sale—common in all economic statistics—especially mars Chinese data.—
Bill Conerly,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
This fungal disease appears as gray blotches on the bark, eventually developing into sunken cankers.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Conveniently located close to iconic sights, the downtown hotel spoils with a rooftop pool, buzzy restaurant, and bar in a sensory-rich, art-laden setting.—
Kathryn Streeter,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Pre-cut produce also spoils quicker and could pick up pathogens when sliced open.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blemishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blemishes. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share