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

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
  1. defect
  2. damage
  3. blotch
  4. mar
  5. scar
  6. compromise
  7. injure
  8. cripple
Noun
  • For years, physicists have dreamed of optical chips where light can race around corners and dodge defects without losing information.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The girl had been diagnosed with a rare gene defect that produces a neurodevelopmental condition known as Snijders Blok-Campeau syndrome, Science reported.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 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
  • After topping June’s mayoral primary, Karen Bass’ summer has been marred by staff departures, fallout from the fire in Boyle Heights and a rise in citywide homelessness.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Patrick Mahomes’ season-ending knee injury in Week 15 further marred and muddled it.
    — Vahe Gregorian July 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Definition of mar
Noun
  • In France, firefighters guarded a still-burning scar four times the size of Paris.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • In France, firefighters in the region around Bordeaux guarded against potential flare-ups inside a still-burning scar four times the size of Paris.
    — Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 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
  • Last week, Tehran accused Kyiv of striking an Iranian commercial vessel carrying a cargo of iron, killing a seafarer and injuring three others.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In June 2022, another member of Fox’s swimming club, the Kelp Krawlers, Steve Bruemmer, was bitten and seriously injured while swimming in the same area.
    — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of injure
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

“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on flaw

Nglish: Translation of flaw for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

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

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All