flaw 1 of 2

noun

ˈflȯ How to pronounce flaw (audio)
Definition of flawnext
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

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
But even when such flaws let the story down, the lovely ensemble never does. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 Dyson's point of view was that the existing products had a fundamental engineering flaw nobody had bothered to fix. — Andy Nguyen, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 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
  1. defect
  2. damage
  3. blotch
  4. mar
  5. scar
  6. compromise
  7. injure
  8. cripple
Noun
  • The baby, whom the parents have named Rumi, was born Wednesday in Texas with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare heart defect that requires a series of surgeries, with the first typically happening during the first weeks of life.
    — Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Just when this summer couldn’t get more apocalyptic, a packaging defect has led Schwarzkopf’s parent company, Henkel, to voluntarily recall its Osis Grip Extra Strong Mousse.
    — James Manso, Allure, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of defect
Verb
  • Hundreds of buildings — hotels, apartment blocks, mixed-use structures — collapsed or were damaged beyond repair.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • If Chinese inventories become one of the last lines of defense against damaging global price spikes, Beijing may come to occupy a comparable position.
    — Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of damage
Noun
  • Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The next morning, a galaxy of itchy red bumps and blotches stretched from my shoulder to my hip.
    — Ben Crair, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
Definition of blotch
Verb
  • The firm, backed by SoftBank and Goldman Sachs, was marred by employees who pointed to Garg’s reputation for being a brash leader.
    — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Some cautioned that a prolonged war, especially one marred by a steady stream of American casualties and little visible progress, could eventually weigh on recruiting at the margins.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of mar
Noun
  • On Sunday, storms brought dangerous flash flooding to the area around the Aspen Acres burn scar.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Alexa Frank thought the small, pink, flaky spot on her nose was an acne scar or eczema, a condition that causes dry, itchy skin.
    — Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of scar
Verb
  • Escalating threats in the Red Sea could compromise the Saudi pipeline that has been essential in mitigating the Hormuz crisis.
    — Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
  • These thermal gradients generate stresses that may crack or spall – chip or flake off – the outer surface, but the heat often does not penetrate deeply enough to compromise the structural core.
    — Giorgia Giardina, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of compromise
Verb
  • While no civilians were injured, one firefighter was taken away for treatment of smoke inhalation and is in stable condition.
    — Nathalie Marie Palacios, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In Russian attacks elsewhere, local officials said that one person was killed and 15 people injured in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of injure
Verb
  • Refineries in Russia, a major exporter of fuel, have been crippled by drone attacks from Ukraine.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Donalds is a full-bore supporter of the destructive homestead exemption proposal known as Amendment 3 that would cripple local government.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of cripple

Browse Nearby Words

flavorsome
flaw
flawed
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Cite this Entry

“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of flaw for Spanish Speakers

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