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
CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
My companion must be of the same species, and have the same defects.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 7 Mar. 2026
Ford estimates that all of these vehicles have the defects.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
In the past, interior textures were used to cover up defects in the molding process.
—Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
One looming decision that Stifel analyst Paul Matteis is tracking is a drug candidate from Denali Therapeutics for Hunter syndrome, a rare disease that causes physical defects like hearing loss and joint problems, as well as cognitive issues.
—Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
The university claimed the defects were costly to repair and argued that both the architect and the construction team bore responsibility.
—David Sokol, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2026
The submarine had documented technical defects; water entered through ventilation ducts, triggering a fire and fatal implosion at depths exceeding 900 meters.
—Almudena Calatrava, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Efforts to harness kesterite’s full potential have also so far been hampered by defects formed during the manufacturing process.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
Ford estimates that all of these vehicles have the defects.
—CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
My companion must be of the same species, and have the same defects.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 7 Mar. 2026
Ford estimates that all of these vehicles have the defects.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
In the past, interior textures were used to cover up defects in the molding process.
—Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
One looming decision that Stifel analyst Paul Matteis is tracking is a drug candidate from Denali Therapeutics for Hunter syndrome, a rare disease that causes physical defects like hearing loss and joint problems, as well as cognitive issues.
—Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
The university claimed the defects were costly to repair and argued that both the architect and the construction team bore responsibility.
—David Sokol, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2026
The submarine had documented technical defects; water entered through ventilation ducts, triggering a fire and fatal implosion at depths exceeding 900 meters.
—Almudena Calatrava, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Efforts to harness kesterite’s full potential have also so far been hampered by defects formed during the manufacturing process.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defects
Noun
-
Several past crimes have left permanent scars on the city's collective memory.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The scars of the past become painfully visible during a dam drawdown, exposing a graveyard of cypress trees that didn’t survive the inundation of water.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot.—
Brian Bell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The director is purposefully vague about what journeys the characters in Blue Man Group shows actually take.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The film, which is in the Panorama section of the Berlin Film Festival, follows a Shanghai woman who journeys alone to a rubber plantation in southwest China, searching for a mysterious woman while strangers drift unexpectedly into her path.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For all their faults, looksmaxxers are intent on de-fetishizing this particular commodity, revealing beauty to be the product of strenuous (and often deranging) labor.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Restaurant operators acknowledged their own faults for lengthening the permit process, including by providing incorrect or incomplete information, according to the report.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The band still tours regularly and — unlike many ‘80s acts — boasts most of its original members (minus drummer and former lover Jon Moss).—
Blair R. Fischer,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Riders will travel on a new century route that tours South Beach, Sunny Isles Beach, Las Olas and Lighthouse Point, with an approximately 40-mile stretch along the Florida coastline under police escort.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One of the flaws in that process was that individuals were able to call Bank of America after applying for a card and get the bank to send it to a different address than was listed on their initial application, Scott said.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Two Republicans have asked a judge to keep an independent Louisville Metro Council candidate who is endorsed by the Louisville Democratic Party off the ballot, citing flaws in her election filing paperwork.—
Killian Baarlaer,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What trips the censor, and what does not?—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
28 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
-
Don’t drop pots or pans, and protect against metal marks from utensils or cookware.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The opening marks Ēma’s third location overall and the second Lettuce concept in Austin, joining Aba on South Congress Avenue.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defects. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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