as in scar
something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing
the statue has a slight defect on the base, so it's being sold at a discount
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Recent Examples of defect
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
The brand will also replace your garment within one year of purchase if there are any defects or faulty manufacturing issues—sure sign of a quality product.
—Harry Spampinato, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Allison Palmer
updated February 19, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
Yasmin, Tender’s briefly installed head of communications, is the first of Whitney’s flunkies to defect.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defect
Noun
Eventually, the young parents-to-be decided to proceed with the adoption but Mel and Jack had little time to celebrate because scans revealed that the fetus had a life-threatening heart defect.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
The brand will also replace your garment within one year of purchase if there are any defects or faulty manufacturing issues—sure sign of a quality product.
—Harry Spampinato, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
InterNACHI’s moisture intrusion guidance emphasizes inspecting likely defect areas and moisture pathways, with grading and gutter/downspout configurations frequently identified as the culprits.
—Allison Palmer
updated February 19, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
Yasmin, Tender’s briefly installed head of communications, is the first of Whitney’s flunkies to defect.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defect
Noun
-
But surgeons say the net doesn’t cause scars or permanent discoloration.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Just as often, though, survivors manifest no burns, bruises, or scars.—
Jacob Stern,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hally emigrated from Ireland decades ago and said attending the parade has become a family tradition.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
In 2024, a record 155,732 Italians emigrated, and over half a million residents left the country between 2020 and 2024.—
Julia Buckley,
CNN Money,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Her zapping turns her entire head of hair — not just a streak — shocking white à la Jean Harlow, and leaves an oddly-appealing black blotch on her cheek.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Its purple black center was surrounded by blotches of varying shades and textures, raised or sunken at places.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Nearly 100,000 visitors pilgrimage to the area annually to witness a forest canopy cloaked in orange-and-black wings.—
Jen Murphy,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Several hundred of them pilgrimage to Arizona each February for the I Heart Pluto Festival.—
David Allan,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Dye apologized and admitted fault on social media.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
18 Mar. 2026
-
As if the dogs were at fault for this utterly anthropocentric religious affiliation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Stationed in Singapore, the vessel will voyage entirely at sea, with no port calls.—
Sarah Whitten,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Ritz-Carlton will launch its first Alaska sailings In May 2026, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will debut Alaska voyages for the first time ever aboard its third and most recent superyacht, Luminara.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In December 2023, the FDA issued a warning about the dangers of fat-dissolving injections after many reports of severe side effects, including permanent scars, serious infections, skin deformities, cysts, and deep, painful knots.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
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Investigators documented animals with health concerns including overgrown hooves, draining abscesses and limb deformities.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Guests can trek with the chef into neighboring farmland to forage alongside the Hmong hill tribe for wild herbs such as mint, butterfly pea flowers, mushrooms, and acacia leaves.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
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But Bhatta had stored his ice ax — the crucial tool needed to arrest a slide — out of reach in his pack, opting instead for trekking poles.—
Gregory Thomas,
San Francisco Chronicle,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defect. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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