as in defects
something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing
the expanding urban sprawl is a blight on the countryside
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blights
Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Fungicides, for instance, are used to suppress disease-causing pathogens like blights and leaf spots, but might also impact beneficial microbes that live in flowers.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2026
Yearning to light some tech on fire is a relatable feeling these days, as generative artificial intelligence promises to supplant nearly every form of non-physical labor, social media wreaks havoc on the mental health of young people, and massive data centers loom as environmental blights.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Even a simple soaker hose is better than a sprinkler system that wets the foliage, which can make plants prone to blights and mildews.
—Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 3 Mar. 2026
The more kinds of plants, the more defenses to fend off the blights and insect infestations that ran unobstructed through landowners’ large mono-crop fields.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
Concerns over blights and quality of life became political issues.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Fungicides, for instance, are used to suppress disease-causing pathogens like blights and leaf spots, but might also impact beneficial microbes that live in flowers.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2026
Yearning to light some tech on fire is a relatable feeling these days, as generative artificial intelligence promises to supplant nearly every form of non-physical labor, social media wreaks havoc on the mental health of young people, and massive data centers loom as environmental blights.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Even a simple soaker hose is better than a sprinkler system that wets the foliage, which can make plants prone to blights and mildews.
—Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 3 Mar. 2026
The more kinds of plants, the more defenses to fend off the blights and insect infestations that ran unobstructed through landowners’ large mono-crop fields.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blights
Noun
-
Look for those that cover manufacturing defects for at least one year after the original purchase date, and think about adding extra coverage for accidental damages imparted on your own behalf.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
-
In 2021, the condo board filed a lawsuit citing design and construction defects.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Formaldehyde is a common pollutant that adds to ozone smog and harms human health.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
-
Solitary confinement harms mental health, and phone calls and visits are essential for family connectedness.—
Julia Bowling,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Proud scars remain, like the Civil War-era bullet holes in the brick walls of the half-bath, which were once the exterior walls of the building.—
Mike Klingaman,
Baltimore Sun,
26 May 2026
-
Brown wasn’t here for those scars.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Soon, red blotches were sprouting on his skin.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
-
These grow to form blotches that have lighter and darker zones appearing as irregular concentric rings that grow throughout the season until the entire leaf turns black and dies.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
For others still chasing results, upping spending — without substantively addressing AI strategy, governance, workforce capabilities and cross-functional collaboration — burns cash, impairs competitiveness and erodes morale.—
Noah Barsky,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Aliso Niguel senior Jaslene Massey had the top marks in the girls shot put (51-3¾) and discus (175-6) and transgender athlete AB Hernandez from Jurupa Valley was the leading qualifier in the girls long jump (20-5½) and triple jump (41-8½) and was one of 13 qualifiers in the high jump.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Remove Scuffs and Stains with an Eraser Sponge Windowsills are prone to scuff marks, dings, and small scratches.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
This storyline later appeared in the second season of Girls, as Dunham’s character Hannah is overwhelmed with the anxiety of writing a novel and similarly injures herself.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
-
In her desperation to ask Val for a job on the new sitcom, Sharon falls and injures herself.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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She was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease eight years ago, a neurological disorder that damages brain cells, leading to symptoms like uncontrollable movements, tremors, and balance issues.—
Madeline Montgomery,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
Chronic inflammation damages blood vessels, stiffening them and increasing resistance.—
Jennifer Berger,
Verywell Health,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blights. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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