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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of flaw
Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
There’s a glaring flaw in California’s election system that should be fixed for the future.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Player recruitment was muddled, managerial appointments flawed (Remi Garde lasted 147 days in that relegation season) and the team underperformed.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Noun
Despite any flaws the system may have, research by the NCMEC found 29% of children featured in Amber Alerts in 2024 were recovered because someone saw the alert.
—Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
There’s a glaring flaw in California’s election system that should be fixed for the future.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
In addition to the pious, persevering Goma and flawed Chandravati in the mortal realm, in the divine realm there are the goddesses Sati and her reincarnation as Parvati.
—Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Player recruitment was muddled, managerial appointments flawed (Remi Garde lasted 147 days in that relegation season) and the team underperformed.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
Noun
-
Investigators later traced that leak to a factory defect in the pipe.—
Lexi Salazar,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The defect allows the optical readout of an electron spin, which in turn is sensitive to changes in magnetic fields or temperature.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Washington’s version of McCall is disciplined but damaged, and possibly afflicted with something like obsessive-compulsive disorder.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
In fact, Gerrod Moore, a brand manager of Maytag advises against uninformed stainless steel cleaning experimentation, because some kitchen cleaning go-to's like bleach, glass cleaner, abrasive cleaners, and steel wool may damage the metal.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
19 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
-
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
-
Morrison, whose junior season was marred by injury, has been the ringleader.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The park's 120th operating season, which kicked off April 3, was marred by several fights between groups of teens, culminating in three arrests.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
James said nothing changes in his preparation from the regular season to the postseason, even when a looming battle against Rockets star Kevin Durant might reopen old playoff scars on Saturday night.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Pasco was described as a white man with a prominent scar on the right side of his face.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Department of Buildings concluded that the building was structurally compromised by the damage, and issued a full vacate order.—
Doug Williams,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The ministers warned that deferring the military purchase could compromise Peru’s security interests, but Balcázar said such a large commitment is not for a temporary leader.—
Franklin Briceño,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The shootings took place at multiple locations early Sunday morning, leaving eight children dead, two adult women wounded -- the mothers of his children -- and another woman and child injured.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Apr. 2026
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Police said that the child who was attacked was injured and was taken to UPMC Children's Hospital for treatment.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The move crippled the agency — as intended.—
Tracy Stone-Manning,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Eden outlined how, by crippling universities over charges of antisemitism, McMahon could also achieve larger goals.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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