as in scars
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 defects
Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
This allowed the researchers to spot small structural changes and identify defects in 2D materials.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
But the document also expresses uncertainty about whether the potential defects constitute a crime, noting that elections in Fulton County has already been the subject of multiple reviews.
—Kate Brumback, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
That search warrant is -- has many defects, as the body cam footage showed.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
The jury did not find Uber liable for negligence or design defects, and the company was not ordered to pay punitive damages.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
Dextrocardia can be just one of the defects leading to other congenital heart diseases.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 2 Feb. 2026
Other defects ranged from below-code electrical wiring, lighting, fire protection and egress to stairs, sprinklers, fire caulking and emergency lighting.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Sophie has championed charities that combat sight defects and conditions around the world.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
But the document also expresses uncertainty about whether the potential defects constitute a crime, noting that elections in Fulton County have already been the subject of multiple reviews.
—Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
This allowed the researchers to spot small structural changes and identify defects in 2D materials.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
But the document also expresses uncertainty about whether the potential defects constitute a crime, noting that elections in Fulton County has already been the subject of multiple reviews.
—Kate Brumback, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
That search warrant is -- has many defects, as the body cam footage showed.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
The jury did not find Uber liable for negligence or design defects, and the company was not ordered to pay punitive damages.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
Dextrocardia can be just one of the defects leading to other congenital heart diseases.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 2 Feb. 2026
Other defects ranged from below-code electrical wiring, lighting, fire protection and egress to stairs, sprinklers, fire caulking and emergency lighting.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Sophie has championed charities that combat sight defects and conditions around the world.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defects
Noun
-
Rock and mud slides are possible near steep terrain, and debris flows are possible on burn scars.—
Staff,
Daily News,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Debris flows are possible on burn scars.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot.—
Brian Bell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Photos show the Maratus australis spider, which has an intricate pattern of blue and brown blotches edged with bright teal and red-orange stripes.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Between the river’s source, entrusted to an order of Orthodox nuns, and its southern delta, where caviar bound for the Kremlin is harvested, the author journeys through a defiant country transformed by war, sanctions, and reinvigorated patriotism.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Twelve-year-old Atari (Koyu Rankin) soon journeys there aboard a miniature Junior Turboprop to reunite with his bodyguard pup, Spots (Liev Schreiber).—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Barca’s faults, however, went far beyond him.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
These mini-seismic events are not considered true earthquakes because there is no movement along faults or tectonic plate boundaries.—
Tammie Souza,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jimmy Eat World will put fans in the middle of a big celebration this summer as the group tours to commemorate the 25th anniversary of its breakthrough and top-selling album, Bleed American.—
Gary Graff,
Billboard,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The event was hosted by Reawaken USA, a relatively new conservative group that tours college campuses, inviting students to have an open dialogue.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Attorneys have previously argued that the NFL’s process contains several flaws.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Battle’s not quite yet at that level, but flaws and missteps are part of anyone’s journey into adulthood.—
David Glickman,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The resulting rambles through town, aboard motorcycle taxis on which all three pile up along with the drivers, become, for Folarin, trips through his own memories.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Boat trips with the hotel’s fleet of luxury liners or a heli ride take you island-hopping to Hydra and Spetses.—
Jemima Sissons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Mid-to-late winter marks breeding season for wolves.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Excessive pre-rinsing can cause white marks on glass This first piece of advice will feel counterintuitive, but just go with us here.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defects. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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