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
Jessica A.j. Rich, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
The model, Claude Mythos, excels at identifying weaknesses and security flaws within software, and Anthropic is limiting access to try to prevent bad actors from exploiting that capability, the company said.
—Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
As in the real world, they’re populated by personalities that don’t neatly divide along a good-evil binary but are, instead, flawed yet lovable—to some other lovably flawed character, at least.
—Judy Berman, Time, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Noun
Despite some significant flaws, including unequal access to care in poor and rural areas, its focus on preventive care is widely considered a model worldwide.
—Jessica A.j. Rich, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
The model, Claude Mythos, excels at identifying weaknesses and security flaws within software, and Anthropic is limiting access to try to prevent bad actors from exploiting that capability, the company said.
—Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
Paul Mitchell, a political data expert, called the Emerson poll flawed.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
As in the real world, they’re populated by personalities that don’t neatly divide along a good-evil binary but are, instead, flawed yet lovable—to some other lovably flawed character, at least.
—Judy Berman, Time, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
Noun
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Fish embryos that grow in the presence of oil may be born with heart defects, as well as spine and skull deformities.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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Thus, with structural concerns emerging locally, Central Florida residents are left with questions about building safety, oversight, and construction defects.—
Keegan A. Berry,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Red Cross said the crash damaged the building and forced three families — a total of 10 people — from their homes.—
Eva Andersen,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
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Reports and satellite images later showed large parts of the city heavily damaged or reduced to rubble.—
Maliha Rahman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This was a black one with blotches faintly outlined in pale yellow, a beautiful but deadly looking animal.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
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The eggs vary in color—from white to blue to brown—with speckles, blotches, and other markings and are also distinctive in shape.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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DeChambeau shot 76 on a day marred by a triple-bogey 7 on the 11th hole.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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Wembanyama’s injury marred what was otherwise a red-letter day for the Spurs, who cemented the franchise’s eighth 60-win season one year after posting a 34-win campaign.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Antonio Express-News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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These dances came at a time in Germany when artists were wrestling with the scars of World War I and the intensification of the developing industrial economy.—
Shanti Escalante-De Mattei,
ARTnews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
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Post-accident, Varren still sports a forehead scar and continues to ride his e-bike in his Miramar neighborhood with friends.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Cropped pants, like capri and ankle-length options, are a great alternative that offer some coverage without compromising on breathability.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
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When shopping for yourself or your family, keep these factors in mind to avoid compromising food quality.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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No people were injured, but a resident's cat died in the fire.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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They were normally injured, inferior and underachieving.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The effective closure of the strait has led to major disruptions to the world’s energy flows, sending oil prices above $100 per barrel and threatening to cripple many economies that rely on energy from the Middle East.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
7 Apr. 2026
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Ten feet of flooding would cripple highways along Manhattan’s edges and damage vital infrastructure, including transit links to the airports.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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