FLAW Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

flaw 1 of 2

noun

ˈflȯ

Definition of flaw

as in defect

something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing noted the flaw in the diamond before I bought it

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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

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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

His torrid first half against Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final six weeks earlier gave the impression of a footballer being put into an uncomfortable position where his strengths were marginalised and his flaws amplified. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Some deepfakes still have telltale flaws such as unnatural facial movements, lip-sync glitches, robotic speech or awkward pauses — but the technology is rapidly improving, a spokesperson for the organization said. — Emily Elconin For Cnn, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

Verb

This latest issue adds to a growing list of irregularities, including inaccurate online estimates, missing plan options, and flawed spousal loan calculations. — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 This analysis made several assumptions, some of which were flawed (though entirely reasonably). — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for flaw

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw

Noun

In a report on the outage published on Friday, NATS said a software defect in the National Airspace System, which allocates codes so air traffic controllers can identify flights on radar, was behind the decision to ax the flights.

— Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
To bruise or wrinkle easily, in his thinking, is not necessarily a defect.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of defect

Verb

The attack on Kyiv damaged more than 50 civilian sites, including apartment blocks, post offices, a maternity hospital and a textile plant, Vyhivskyi, the interior minister, said.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
Tests also found that the electrical pulses used for communication did not damage tissue samples.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of damage

Noun

Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark facial bands and gray or tan body patterned with black or brown blotches.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of blotch

Verb

The episode was marred some by a glitch in the show’s voting system; viewers weren’t able to choose their favorites on the DWTS website and had to vote by text.

— Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Another interesting option is Yetur Gross-Matos, whose recent stint with the 49ers was marred by a knee issue.

— Matt Barrows, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of mar

Noun

Heavy rain triggered a mudslide in an Inland Empire burn scar on Thursday, according to forecasters.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
This past spring, the singer-guitarist announced that hernia repair surgery left him with a six-and-a-half–inch scar and doctors’ orders never to growl again.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of scar

Verb

In the report, Shedd veterinarians said preexisting sickness likely compromised the whales’ health and left them vulnerable during the relocation process, which involved lifting the belugas by crane and flying them across international borders.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Pelleting exposes sensitive vitamins to heat, moisture, pressure and abrasion, while storage can further compromise vitamin stability.

— Aidan Connolly, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of compromise

Verb

Then, after becoming Trojans AD in August 2010, he was tasked with moving the athletic department past crippling NCAA sanctions.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Young men and women went overseas, on orders of presidents, to try to cripple and kill the enemy and its enablers in foreign lands.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of cripple

Browse Nearby Words

flavorsome

flaw

flawed

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Style

“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of flaw

noun

verb

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