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
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
In 2021, the condo board filed a lawsuit citing design and construction defects.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 27 May 2026
Fewer production defects To test the system, the team printed a hexagonal structure larger than a truck tire.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
The approval was then challenged in court by three Maine residents who claimed that thousands of the signatures were invalid because of defects in the collection and certification process, among other procedural violations.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
Many critics have noted the column’s defects of evidence and sourcing.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
Delinquent financing, lawsuits, project delays, construction blunders and defects, evidence that some workers were forced to live in an East Bay warehouse, allegations of slave labor, and a death haunted the property while Z&L owned it.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Focus your requests on safety issues and major defects rather than cosmetic items.
—Ryan Brennan
may 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
Condos are particularly tough for builders to invest in because California law allows homeowners associations, or HOAs, to sue developers for construction defects for up to 10 years after a building is completed.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Noun
Look for those that cover manufacturing defects for at least one year after the original purchase date, and think about adding extra coverage for accidental damages imparted on your own behalf.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
In 2021, the condo board filed a lawsuit citing design and construction defects.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 27 May 2026
Fewer production defects To test the system, the team printed a hexagonal structure larger than a truck tire.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
The approval was then challenged in court by three Maine residents who claimed that thousands of the signatures were invalid because of defects in the collection and certification process, among other procedural violations.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
Many critics have noted the column’s defects of evidence and sourcing.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
Delinquent financing, lawsuits, project delays, construction blunders and defects, evidence that some workers were forced to live in an East Bay warehouse, allegations of slave labor, and a death haunted the property while Z&L owned it.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Focus your requests on safety issues and major defects rather than cosmetic items.
—Ryan Brennan
may 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
Condos are particularly tough for builders to invest in because California law allows homeowners associations, or HOAs, to sue developers for construction defects for up to 10 years after a building is completed.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defects
Noun
-
Proud scars remain, like the Civil War-era bullet holes in the brick walls of the half-bath, which were once the exterior walls of the building.—
Mike Klingaman,
Baltimore Sun,
26 May 2026
-
Brown wasn’t here for those scars.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Soon, red blotches were sprouting on his skin.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
-
These grow to form blotches that have lighter and darker zones appearing as irregular concentric rings that grow throughout the season until the entire leaf turns black and dies.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
In it, Noah journeys from city to city with friends, collaborators and surprise guests, each episode blending his signature humor with authentic, on-the-ground experiences that spotlight local people, food, and culture.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
-
The Emmy-winning journalist and filmmaker’s cinematic six-episode documentary series journeys to the heart of the world’s most important stories.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
However, the things that can lead to faults are, in a twisted way, something McKenna loves about the character.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
31 May 2026
-
Ruptures occur at various depths, faults hold varying amounts of potential energy, and tectonic plates break at different speeds — each affecting how the quake is felt even from a short distance away, Pitarka said.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2023 and still tours.—
Lisa Gutierrez
May 13,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2026
-
Those at Pixar, in fact, were so charmed by Wallis’ tours that the author was asked to voice the role of the film’s sheriff.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Anthropic said the new model is better at flagging uncertainty and identifying flaws in its own outputs instead of silently passing errors through.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
-
That only became more true as his flaws consumed him.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Most trips depart from the Florida Keys.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
-
His assistant coaches lift him, swarm him, and someone trips.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Aliso Niguel senior Jaslene Massey had the top marks in the girls shot put (51-3¾) and discus (175-6) and transgender athlete AB Hernandez from Jurupa Valley was the leading qualifier in the girls long jump (20-5½) and triple jump (41-8½) and was one of 13 qualifiers in the high jump.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Remove Scuffs and Stains with an Eraser Sponge Windowsills are prone to scuff marks, dings, and small scratches.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defects. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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