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
Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Neither one of them knows how to let go, but that character flaw might just turn out to be an asset in disguise.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
The results were often imperfect or flawed, which required manual correction and refinement.
—Cath Virginia, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Noun
There’s really no flaws with him.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Neither one of them knows how to let go, but that character flaw might just turn out to be an asset in disguise.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
Verb
The journey has surely been flawed, but this transition to being open about the fluidity of her sexuality is somewhat unprecedented in Housewives’ history.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
The results were often imperfect or flawed, which required manual correction and refinement.
—Cath Virginia, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
Noun
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In Walker’s first few months of life, doctors closely monitored his condition while hoping surgery would ultimately correct the defects.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
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In the surgical procedure, a v-shape of the lower lid is removed thereby shortening the area and reducing the defect.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
Verb
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While satellite launches mostly produce black carbon, which has a potential to warm the upper atmosphere, satellite re-entries generate aluminum oxides, which can damage the ozone layer.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
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Fallen debris also caused a house in the village of Subbotino to catch fire, while four people were injured when drones damaged several residential blocks in the western town of Istra, TASS reported.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
Noun
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These grow to form blotches that have lighter and darker zones appearing as irregular concentric rings that grow throughout the season until the entire leaf turns black and dies.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
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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
Verb
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The grand occasion was almost marred by an accident, the Tribune reported.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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Though that 2017 championship is marred by one of the most egregious cheating scandals in baseball history.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
In humans, glial scars form very quickly after injury.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
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Harris also shows us the burn scars that ripple up Racine’s arm and across Anaia’s face, textured skin that makes strangers blanch, to which Racine lashes out defensively.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Hethington didn’t want to cannibalize his menu with the dish, instead compromising with a jerk lamb shank, and a whole Chinese Trini chicken, an homage to the popular takeout food in Trinidad.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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Transparencia Venezuela estimates that more than $42 billion in public assets linked to the state oil company and its subsidiaries were compromised through corruption schemes.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The impact ignited an engine fire, injuring a dozen passengers.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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Even if Calafiori was not injured, Mosquera’s introduction and Rice’s return to midfield were necessary to start the second half.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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But his personal and party polls are dismal, crippled by what critics and analysts say has been a series of unforced errors.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
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Just a few successful strikes could cripple the region’s oil and gas infrastructure for years if not decades, throwing the world, and the United States, into a prolonged economic crisis.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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