as in defect
something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing
noted the flaw in the diamond before I bought it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to damage
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
that crack has flawed the vase to the extent that its value in the antiques market is greatly reduced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flaw
Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
This presents the reader, especially one steeped in mystery fiction, with a familiar irony: Skilled detectives typically win readers’ hearts because of their flaws, not despite them.
—Talya Zax, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2025
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2025
All this to say that while the Dubs might be flawed and their status as a true playoff team is precarious, but everything is on the table for this team come the postseason.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Noun
Lawyers with the Department of Justice accidentally filed a document overnight that outlined a series of legal flaws with the Trump administration's plan to kill New York City's congestion pricing tolls.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
This presents the reader, especially one steeped in mystery fiction, with a familiar irony: Skilled detectives typically win readers’ hearts because of their flaws, not despite them.
—Talya Zax, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
Study challenges flawed hypothesis The study challenges the leading hypothesis that the formation of molecular oxygen (O₂) within the cathode material was responsible for the voltage fade and capacity drop observed in these batteries.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2025
All this to say that while the Dubs might be flawed and their status as a true playoff team is precarious, but everything is on the table for this team come the postseason.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
Noun
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Of all of his character defects, loyalty is not one of them.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2025
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Joshua Burnett, a construction defect lawyer in the Tampa Bay area, has two such cases moving through the courts now.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Mineral extraction has damaging social consequences in developing countries, where the impoverished are often compelled to work in unsafe and unhygienic conditions.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
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Arson – To unlawfully and intentionally damage or attempt to damage any real or personal property of another person or entity by fire or incendiary device.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But this season, the one with the 4-15-0 blotch on the calendar from late November to early January, there’s no way to feel OK about Sunday.—
Arthur Staple,
The Athletic,
17 Mar. 2025
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The fish have white faces with a black blotch in front of the eyes, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His rookie season was marred by an uneven second half, which was hindered by hand and foot injuries.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Apr. 2025
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His final collegiate season was marred by a shoulder injury and insufficient QB play, but Loveland still led the Wolverines in receptions (56), receiving yards (582) and receiving TDs (five).—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But amid the fanfare of parades, fireworks and airshows, a long-standing debate over what to call the holiday continues, a subtle acknowledgment of the lingering scars of a contentious war.—
Stephanie Yang,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
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Damn right, he’s got the blues… and the scars to show for it.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The breach did not compromise Hertz’s internal systems directly but involved data that had been shared with the vendor as part of its operational workflow.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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The Department of Pesticide Regulation compromised, and each location is now shown within a 1-square mile area.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Memorial at Florida State University after a fatal shooting killed two people and injured several others.—
Kati Weis,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2025
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The spill killed 11 people and injured 17 others as 210 million gallons of crude oil were released into the Gulf of Mexico (recently renamed by the U.S. government as Gulf of America) for a total of 87 days.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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