FLAW Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

flaw 1 of 2

noun

ˈflȯ

Definition of flaw

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flaw

2 of 2

verb

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of flaw

Noun

If the logic is that those who lived through those days won’t need any explanation, the flaw is that four decades on, the ratio of people who clearly remember Lockerbie to those who don’t is only shrinking. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026 Modal chief technology officer Akshat Bubna told Fortune the breach did not involve any flaw in its own systems. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Verb

Meanwhile, many of Montana’s landowners consider the entire discussion flawed, because corner-crossers could upset a precarious balance between agricultural producers and sportsmen. — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026 Yet, that decision was quickly challenged by neighbors, who worried about the disruptive noise from these concerts and argued that San Jose’s environmental process was flawed. — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for flaw

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw

Noun

Regrettably, Anolik, who is almost singlehandedly responsible for Babitz’s literary exhumation, has so fallen in love with her subject as to almost blind her to Babitz’s defects, both with respect to her writing and to the life.

— Steve Wasserman, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2026
To capture the earliest stages of failure, the team incorporated photoelasticity, an imaging technique that reveals stress building around tiny defects before visible cracks appear.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026

Definition of defect

Verb

Little Joe's was boarded up after an antique door was heavily damaged as the burglary crew got in and out in about a minute.

— Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
More than 3,200 children have been killed or injured since February 24, 2022, and more than 1,700 schools and education facilities have been damaged or destroyed, leaving one in three children without full-time in-person education.

— Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 31 July 2026

Definition of damage

Noun

Verticillium wilt causes similar blotches and yellowing.

— Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
Pine snakes can grow up to 56 inches in length, have black, brown, and russet scales with dark blotches along their backs, and are noted for having a pointed nose, which experts believe may help with burrowing.

— Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026

Definition of blotch

Verb

To prevent a similar war from happening again, Menelaus scarred her face, permanently marring her famous beauty.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
In an address from the White House tonight, the president sought to reveal proof for his baseless assertions of a 2020 vote marred by fraud.

— Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

Definition of mar

Noun

In court, victims’ families and shooting survivors spoke about their physical and emotional scars.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
But whether nestled in lush forests or barren deserts, these towns bear the scars of time, showcasing human ingenuity while reminding us of the inevitability of decay.

— Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026

Definition of scar

Verb

Building an electric Miata without compromising its defining character is something altogether different.

— Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Minnesota's water supply has not been reported compromised as a result of the attack, Minnesota Department of Public Safety spokesperson Mike Ersnter said.

— Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of compromise

Verb

The new film takes its cue from a once-promising novelist crippled by writer’s block who reconnects with his estranged college roommate, now a wealthy tech entrepreneur, in hopes of finding inspiration for his next book.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 July 2026
The tragic twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 laid bare the dire state of the country’s health system, crippled by years of economic crisis, government mismanagement and the migration of medical workers.

— Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Definition of cripple

Browse Nearby Words

flavorsome

flaw

flawed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of flaw

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on flaw

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

highfalutin

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes