defective

adjective

di-ˈfek-tiv How to pronounce defective (audio)
Definition of defectivenext
as in imperfect
having a fault promptly took the defective microwave oven back to the store for a replacement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 defective Caused by a defective gene for an enzyme that breaks down the carbohydrate heparan sulfate, it is characterized by a buildup of toxic material in tissues, including brain cells. — Mike McRae 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026 And since Jace’s death, she’s treated Baela as nothing more than a defective surveillance drone — a worthless piece of tech that never spots Vhagar. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in San Diego County Superior Court, accuses Amazon of selling defective tabletop alcohol-burning fire pits despite a ban on the products in two countries and their link to two deaths and about 60 injuries since 2019. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 Fire hazards are also high on the list, as heating elements in defective units can potentially remain on even when the unit isn’t powered on, increasing the risk of fire or burns. — The Spruce, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defective
  1. imperfect
  2. bad
  3. flawed
  4. faulty
  5. damaged
  6. broken
Adjective
  • His campaign committee was formed before Aquino’s current campaign committee, making the candidates’ cumulative totals an imperfect comparison.
    — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • That’s one romantic notion of many in a free-floating relationship drama, which employs an intuitively non-linear structure to enliven what is otherwise a fairly conventional, ordinary love story between two attractive but imperfect people.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of imperfect
Adjective
  • Why is Indonesia experiencing its worst ever wildfire season?
    — TheWeek, TheWeek, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Interior designers and professional organizers say most kitchens hide usable square footage in plain sight, trapped behind clutter, bad habits and bulky gear that could be stored smarter or edited out entirely.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • The legal arguments for such claims, however, are extremely flawed and would likely not hold up in the court, said David Loy, the legal director for the nonpartisan First Amendment Coalition.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Dandekar accuses the World Bank of producing a flawed risk assessment report for the project from the get-go.
    — Mamita Bhandari, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of flawed
Adjective
  • Faulty Temperature Sensor Another mechanical failure that can cause long warming times is a faulty temperature sensor.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Hopefully, the city of Atlanta and the faulty Macon Drive commuters can learn a lesson.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of faulty
Adjective
  • The drones set off fires and damaged buildings in Kyiv and elsewhere in Ukraine overnight, authorities said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Finally, don’t use disinfecting wipes on raw wood or furniture with an uneven or damaged finish.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of damaged
Adjective
  • Center fielder Andy Pages, who missed a month with a broken hand, returned to the lineup three days ago.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Nine live roaches were counted, six in the gasket of a broken refrigerator still on the cookline and one on the cookline.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of broken

Browse Nearby Words

defections
defective
defectively
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Cite this Entry

“Defective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defective. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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