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
William Jones
january 29, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Belichick's career did have blemishes.
—CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Its ultra-lightweight texture sinks in quickly with no stickiness, and just a couple of drops patted into the skin is enough to target blemishes, blackheads, and congestion across all skin types.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
The early days of measles are usually marked by common symptoms such as fever and cough; to the untrained eye, the virus’s rash can look like many of the reddish, patchy blemishes that many other pathogens cause.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Alongside the new Luminous Silk Natural Glow Blurring Foundation, makeup artist Melissa Hernandez used the brand’s Luminous Silk Hydrating and Brightening Concealer, which boasts a creamy, radiant formula to brighten and smooth dark circles and blemishes.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
Sure, there were blemishes to their 20-17 overtime victory at Chicago on Sunday night, just as their three-point win at Carolina had its wild-card warts.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
His track record of drafting, developing and managing assets features plenty of blemishes, which explains how the franchise has reached this sorry state to begin with.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
This is also true for squash with cuts, cracks, or blemishes.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Noun
Infused with Tea Tree Oil and Calendula, these patches help flatten blemishes faster, calm redness and protect the area from picking for cleaner healing.
—William Jones
january 29, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Belichick's career did have blemishes.
—CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Its ultra-lightweight texture sinks in quickly with no stickiness, and just a couple of drops patted into the skin is enough to target blemishes, blackheads, and congestion across all skin types.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
The early days of measles are usually marked by common symptoms such as fever and cough; to the untrained eye, the virus’s rash can look like many of the reddish, patchy blemishes that many other pathogens cause.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Alongside the new Luminous Silk Natural Glow Blurring Foundation, makeup artist Melissa Hernandez used the brand’s Luminous Silk Hydrating and Brightening Concealer, which boasts a creamy, radiant formula to brighten and smooth dark circles and blemishes.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
Sure, there were blemishes to their 20-17 overtime victory at Chicago on Sunday night, just as their three-point win at Carolina had its wild-card warts.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
His track record of drafting, developing and managing assets features plenty of blemishes, which explains how the franchise has reached this sorry state to begin with.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
This is also true for squash with cuts, cracks, or blemishes.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blemishes
Noun
-
Since the mandate, neural tube defects have dramatically declined in almost every single ethnic population except for Latinos, according to Jaffery.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 12,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The research team attributed their results to how tiny defects, known as dislocations, move when a metal deforms.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This mixture attacks stains a bit stronger than the water solution.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Season with salt and lots of pepper and bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking often, until the turmeric stains the mixture a wonderful golden color and the liquid starts to steam, about 3 minutes.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
What damages a human being is sin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The progressive disease damages the protective cover around nerves called myelin in your central nervous system, according to the Cleveland Clinic.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There were punishments, too, leaving scars and black eyes.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
-
In Southeast Michigan, those scars are buried deep beneath the glacial clay and concrete.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
29 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
-
The picture exudes both grace and vulnerability, and hints at imperfection by way of a disconcerting, coral-like wrinkle that mars the foot’s heel.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
20 Dec. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot.—
Brian Bell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Sinners leading all nominees by a record-breaking margin could shake up the Oscar race, which seemed destined to come down to One Battle After Another and Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet (the two films recently shared the Best Picture spoils at the Golden Globes).—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
22 Jan. 2026
-
With the victory spoils, Ruel collects A$50,000 ($33,700) courtesy of APRA AMCOS, Alberts and Sony Music Publishing.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blemishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blemishes. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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