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
Jackson Castellano, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2025
Brown’s uptick in assists without Tatum has come with an increase in turnovers (3.6 per game, up from 2.6 overall), which was his biggest flaw in the Game 6 blowout loss to the New York Knicks that ended Boston’s title defense.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025
Leslie Dickstein, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
Time and again, research shows that algorithmic systems for 'predicting' crime are inherently flawed.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Noun
By Jackson Castellano Orlando Sentinel Correspondent CONWAY, S.C. — A remarkable conference turnaround and 17 straight NCAA tourney appearances aside, Florida baseball was not without its flaws headed into this weekend’s Conway Regional.
—Jackson Castellano, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2025
Brown’s uptick in assists without Tatum has come with an increase in turnovers (3.6 per game, up from 2.6 overall), which was his biggest flaw in the Game 6 blowout loss to the New York Knicks that ended Boston’s title defense.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025
Verb
The comparison between how law enforcement handled the Capitol riot and the Floyd protests is flawed, Kent Greenfield, a professor at Boston College Law School, told the AP in 2021.
—Leslie Dickstein, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
Time and again, research shows that algorithmic systems for 'predicting' crime are inherently flawed.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
Noun
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The toxins from the fungus cause liver damage, vomiting and reproductive defects in both livestock and humans.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
4 June 2025
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These types of batteries, although generally safe, can be highly combustible under specific circumstances, like extreme overheating or manufacturing defects.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Her older brother, a successful economist, and her sister, a government lawyer, have repeatedly warned her that her outspokenness could damage not only her career but theirs.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2025
Noun
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Their backs are a mixture of cream dots, orange-ish speckles and brown blotches.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2025
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These are more typically animals with stripes instead of blotches, missing patterns, and similar.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
16 May 2025
Verb
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However, relatively decent growth fueled by Putin's record military spending has been marred by inflation and a worker shortage impacted by those fleeing the draft and troop losses in Ukraine as experts warn of longer terms problems for the economy.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
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Lynch’s first winter as CEO was marred by long lift lines and employee shortages driven by COVID-19.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
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He’s considered several options to resolve the situation, hoping to find a compromise that addresses both his wife’s emotional scars and the family’s needs.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
1 June 2025
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Lee looks upward, revealing his scar from being stabbed weeks earlier, at an event on Feb. 1, 2024.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
29 May 2025
Verb
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By producing an affordable pair of multi-driver IEMs, without compromising on sound and build quality, Noble Audio hopes to bag a slice of this growing market.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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Just remember: Collaboration doesn’t mean compromising your values.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Federal officials said one immigration agent was injured when a rock shattered his vehicle’s windshield, and the U.S. Marshals Service reported arrests for obstructing operations, according to the Times.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2025
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Russia also targeted the western Lviv and Khmelnytskyi regions, the northern Chernihiv region, and the central Poltava region, where at least three people were injured.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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