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.
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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
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Federal bridge inspections – rooted in National Bridge Inspection Standards mandated by Congress in 1968 – exist because past failures showed that small defects can threaten large structures.
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Inspections keep bridges safe, but are snapshots Federal bridge inspections – rooted in National Bridge Inspection Standards mandated by Congress in 1968 – exist because past failures showed that small defects can threaten large structures.
Verb
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Research has shown repeatedly that separating children from their parents harms their health and development.
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Antitrust enforcement remains an important tool to address circumstances where market concentration harms consumers and commerce.
Noun
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The emotional toll of surviving a gunshot wound Dewey never tried to hide the scars.
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With all the scars, the pain, the regret and, yes, the love.
Verb
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Disrupting essential frontline activities and tier huddles can cause a domino effect that impairs future lean efforts rather than lay a foundation for improvement.
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Poor sleep impairs barrier function and slows the overnight repair window, and chronic sleep restriction visibly accelerates aging.
Noun
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Verticillium wilt causes similar blotches and yellowing.
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Pine snakes can grow up to 56 inches in length, have black, brown, and russet scales with dark blotches along their backs, and are noted for having a pointed nose, which experts believe may help with burrowing.
Verb
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Who is responsible when a robot breaks something or injures someone?
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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.
Noun
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Small scratches or marks aren't usually a problem, but cracks and deep chips can get worse.
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Customers gave Jersey Mike's especially high marks for the freshness of its food, menu variety, and value.
Verb
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Dana Sue and Ronnie's strained relationship is exasperated by a fire that breaks out — accelerated by off-brand e-bikes Ronnie bought behind Dana Sue’s back and stored in their garage — and damages their house.
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Roslovic’s poor playoff showing severely damages his chances of earning an extension with the Oilers for next season and of a sizable deal elsewhere.
Cite this Entry
“Blights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blights. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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