BLIGHTS Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

blights 1 of 2

noun

plural of blight

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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blights

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of blight

as in harms

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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 blights

Noun

The same biological world that gives rise to forests, coral reefs and human life also produces infections, cancer, genetic disease, crop blights and toxins. — Tara Deans, The Conversation, 8 July 2026 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

Electron diffraction provided another way to monitor the crystal structures as defects developed.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Insufficient airflow and light in the canopy can slow and reduce growth, and structural defects can lead to limb failure, opening the tree up to infection.

— Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of defects

Verb

Huang Ling, spokeswoman for China’s Commerce Ministry, said in a news conference Thursday that the law not only harms the interests of Chinese businesses, but also hurt those of French consumers.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026
Those limits increase to $10,000 per violation and $100,000 combined if the violation harms someone who is 65 or older.

— Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of harms

Noun

Cardiac arrhythmia ablation, according to the British Heart Foundation, is when heat or cold energy is used to create tiny scars in the heart to block faulty signals and restore a typical heartbeat.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Wildfire burn scars increase the chances for flash-flooding events.

— Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of scars

Verb

The delay, the filing notes, impairs Pewitt’s defense because the memories of witnesses fade and their availability is unknown, and the ability to find and re-examine physical evidence after 31 years is compromised.

— Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Hwang suffered a traumatic brain injury from the attack, leading to ataxia, a neurological disorder that impairs movement and muscle control, and occasional seizures.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Definition of impairs

Verb

Travel could require boarding or pet-sitting expenses, while a dog that damages property or injures someone could create potential liability issues.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
The heist goes wrong when one sister injures her back and ends up trapped on the second floor, setting off an increasingly frantic bid to get out before the homeowner comes home.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of injures

Noun

The star receiver tallied eight catches, 116 yards and two touchdowns, all career-high marks for him.

— PJ Green September 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
Flies buzz over the rotting carcass, which is riven by claw marks so unnaturally deep that no one can determine whomauledit.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of marks

Verb

Alcohol also contributes to oxidative stress, which damages DNA, proteins and cell function and creates inflammation.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Travel could require boarding or pet-sitting expenses, while a dog that damages property or injures someone could create potential liability issues.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of damages

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blighting

blights

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“Blights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blights. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of blights

noun

verb

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