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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Recent Examples of 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
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
-
Thermal runaway can be triggered by a variety of conditions, including battery damage, overheating, overcharging, manufacturing defects, exposure to salt water, and external fires.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The company continues to battle new production glitches, including wiring defects on undelivered jets.—
John Pacenti,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If a practice consistently harms minors, the state has a valid and urgent interest in stopping it.—
A.J. Russo,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Apr. 2026
-
People can be persuaded that community action should trump individual choice if a behavior, such as smoking cigarettes or driving while drunk, harms others who don’t engage in it.—
Marie Helweg-Larsen,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
James said nothing changes in his preparation from the regular season to the postseason, even when a looming battle against Rockets star Kevin Durant might reopen old playoff scars on Saturday night.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Even just a little rain on burn scars can quickly lead to flash floods and debris flows, Schumacher said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This was a black one with blotches faintly outlined in pale yellow, a beautiful but deadly looking animal.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The eggs vary in color—from white to blue to brown—with speckles, blotches, and other markings and are also distinctive in shape.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The National Sleep Foundation concluded there isn’t enough evidence to confirm that blue light from screens before bed reliably impairs adult sleep.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
13 Apr. 2026
-
If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Functionality and style aside, this new arrival gets top marks in the safety department, too.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival launched in 1999 and 2026 marks its 25th edition.—
Kayla Bartkowski,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 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
-
The water carries large amounts of ice that damages shores, infrastructure and homes.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
22 Apr. 2026
-
More frequent use of marijuana also damages the brain’s working memory, which could lead to issues with safety, communications and work success, a 2025 study found.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blights. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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