blight 1 of 2

noun

ˈblīt How to pronounce blight (audio)
Definition of blightnext
as in defect
something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing the expanding urban sprawl is a blight on the countryside

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blight

2 of 2

verb

as in to damage

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 blight
Noun
The evidence suggests that digital lending as currently practiced is one more blight for the book industry, yes. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 14 Sep. 2026 Rapid defoliation, black stem streaks, and browning leaves with spots across them are common signs of a fungal infection like boxwood blight. — The Spruce, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
Meanwhile, two- to four-unit rental buildings that made up the preponderance of affordable housing for families in these areas have been lost to blight and disinvestment. — Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 The euphoria of scoring three goals in each half was somewhat blighted by the horrific injury to Koné. — Mark Hodge, NBC news, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for blight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blight
  1. defect
  2. damage
  3. blotch
  4. ruin
  5. scar
  6. harm
  7. mark
  8. flaw
Noun
  • Indeed, the film almost seems to deliberately court these defects, as if to focus its audience on appreciating the beauty that survives them.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2026
  • But Reddit users say images shared there show something more dramatic that appears to be a defect.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of defect
Verb
  • Miles said one of his friends made the decision to drop his early decision application to Cornell, not because of the incident itself, but for fear the school’s reputation would be damaged.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Insurance payouts for mortgaged homes damaged or destroyed by fires are typically not sent directly to homeowners but instead are held by lenders or servicers, who then disburse the funds in tranches as a home is rebuilt or repaired.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of damage
Noun
  • Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark facial bands and gray or tan body patterned with black or brown blotches.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of blotch
Verb
  • Artificial, though, ends with a scene that convincingly conveys the extent to which AI will ruin all our lives.
    — Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The Civic, before it was smashed and ruined, had been a private world, an extension of myself.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of ruin
Noun
  • And breakouts can leave behind dark marks and scars that take even longer to heal.
    — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This is a city full of glittering theater marquees and mint midcentury signage, and ringed with rail yards and the scars of an industrial center remade for human scale.
    — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of scar
Verb
  • Authorities said at the time that the 3-year-old wasn't harmed, and bomb technicians were able to remove and dispose of the device in a rural area outside of the town where his family lived.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier also sued OpenAI in June, alleging the company knowingly released an unsafe product that could harm users.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of harm
Noun
  • Apple 's market cap ended the day just under the $5 trillion dollar mark.
    — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The documentary marks Joanna Natasegara’s feature directorial debut.
    — Christine Imarenezor, VIBE.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of mark
Verb
  • The majority of major league scouts believed Ohtani’s swing was flawed in balance and mechanics, that his bat-to-ball skills weren’t going to be good enough.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • And when the healthcare system is flawed to its core and disinformation about alternative treatments spreads rapidly online?
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of flaw

Browse Nearby Words

blew up
blight
blighted
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Cite this Entry

“Blight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blight. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blight

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