as in imperfect
having a fault
promptly took the defective microwave oven back to the store for a replacement
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defective
Regulatory gridlock and defective CDC tests stalled surveillance, allowing the contagion to spread unchecked for six crucial weeks.
—
Jennifer W. Tsai, STAT, 18 Jan. 2026
As a result, the lawsuit claims, Walmart was forced to remove defective products from shelves, and Lola’s incurred nearly $155,000 in expenses.
—Clark Kauffman, Des Moines Register, 17 Jan. 2026
The complaint filed in California state court by Stephanie Gray, the mother of Austin Gordon, accuses OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman of building a defective and dangerous product that led to Gordon's death.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
The lawsuit accuses OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman of building a defective and dangerous product that allegedly played a role in Gordon’s death.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defective
Jennifer W. Tsai, STAT, 18 Jan. 2026
As a result, the lawsuit claims, Walmart was forced to remove defective products from shelves, and Lola’s incurred nearly $155,000 in expenses.
—Clark Kauffman, Des Moines Register, 17 Jan. 2026
The complaint filed in California state court by Stephanie Gray, the mother of Austin Gordon, accuses OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman of building a defective and dangerous product that led to Gordon's death.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
The lawsuit accuses OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman of building a defective and dangerous product that allegedly played a role in Gordon’s death.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defective
Adjective
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In those early scenes of Home Alone, O’Hara is not just an avatar for a forgetful, imperfect mother.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
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Perfect solutions delivered too late will always lose to imperfect solutions available now.—
David Chou,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Azzi Fudd scored 27 points and Sarah Strong added 26 to help UConn beat Tennessee, handing the Lady Vols their worst loss in the storied rivalry.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
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To that end, here’s a selection of the best (and most enjoyably bad) literary film and TV coming to streaming services this month.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For many viewers, the plot lines feel human, flawed and real.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
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While much has been made about the Heat potentially being positioned to make a better offer to the Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo if Milwaukee were to wait for the offseason for such a move, that reasoning is somewhat flawed.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Chrysler has recalled more than 80,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles due to a faulty rear coil spring that could cause crashes.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
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After closing down for more than three months due to a faulty elevator, Cebada Rooftop is ready to reopen in Coral Gables.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Tesla’s response—that of aggressive discounting—has protected volume but damaged margins and resale values.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Todorovich is focusing on enterprise-wide business models but is not placing buys or negotiating return to vendors involving returning defective, damaged or unsold merchandise back to the supplier or manufacturer.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Customers are also digging through the drawers for scrap gold and unwanted or broken jewelry.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Is this a buying opportunity or a broken narrative?—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defective. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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