as in defect
something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing
the expanding urban sprawl is a blight on the countryside
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to damage
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blight
Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
Trash burning and water shortages are a worsening blight, while the construction of upscale villas has denuded vegetation and exacerbated a perennial flooding problem.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 17 Mar. 2025
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 14 Feb. 2025
Disruptions to health care services and changes in migration travel disruptions were cited as likely contributors to the increase, but the trend highlights the difficulty in eradicating the illness that has blighted societies for centuries.
—Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for blight
Noun
And from the time the blight arrived, scientists have been trying to figure out how to save the American chestnut as a species.
—Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
Trash burning and water shortages are a worsening blight, while the construction of upscale villas has denuded vegetation and exacerbated a perennial flooding problem.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
Hope springs eternal and all that, but as a contract battle brews with its longest-standing media partner, MLB’s sunny return may be blighted by storm clouds.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 14 Feb. 2025
Disruptions to health care services and changes in migration travel disruptions were cited as likely contributors to the increase, but the trend highlights the difficulty in eradicating the illness that has blighted societies for centuries.
—Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for blight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blight
Noun
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With the help of this technology, defects were significantly reduced.—
Michael Amori,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Doctors later discovered that Figari’s stroke was caused by a previously undetected congenital heart defect called a patent foramen ovale (PFO), in which a hole between the left and right chambers of the heart is left open as opposed to closing after birth, according to Penn Medicine.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Arson – To unlawfully and intentionally damage or attempt to damage any real or personal property of another person or entity by fire or incendiary device.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Apr. 2025
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Sudden kicks, jumps, tackles, and awkward leg movements can damage groin muscles.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But this season, the one with the 4-15-0 blotch on the calendar from late November to early January, there’s no way to feel OK about Sunday.—
Arthur Staple,
The Athletic,
17 Mar. 2025
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The fish have white faces with a black blotch in front of the eyes, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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There is nothing that can ruin trying to sleep through a redeye like the sunrise hitting your face.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But amid the fanfare of parades, fireworks and airshows, a long-standing debate over what to call the holiday continues, a subtle acknowledgment of the lingering scars of a contentious war.—
Stephanie Yang,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
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Damn right, he’s got the blues… and the scars to show for it.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The missing juveniles returned home shortly thereafter, having not been kidnapped or harmed.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
23 Apr. 2025
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Toward Environmental Justice: Key Concepts Aissa Dearing July 14, 2023 Environmental justice results from the equitable distribution of environmental benefits and harms through the restructuring of systems of oppression.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Traveling north along the coast, a single dot marks a 1903 hurricane in southern New Jersey.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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The wily sneaker, all black with a design that resembles real-life Air Jordans, sees Ty as a mark and wants to steal the naive shoe’s bling — the diamonds and gold accents on his body.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But an unusually high reversal rate may indicate the company’s process for making initial decisions is flawed.—
David Robinson,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
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And there’s no question Brian Tyree Henry’s unique abilities as an actor tap into the same deep well of screen presence and emotional integrity that flowed through Hackman’s work, no matter how flawed the character.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blight. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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