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
Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Completing the developmental tasks of this phase means developing a sense of a life well lived, a life that is complete unto itself despite its flaws and tragedies.
—Shruti Mutalik, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
Korin Miller, SELF, 24 Nov. 2025
Original studies suggesting a link were flawed and have been discredited.
—Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Noun
Beyond the team’s flaws, there have been individual performances worth underlining.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Completing the developmental tasks of this phase means developing a sense of a life well lived, a life that is complete unto itself despite its flaws and tragedies.
—Shruti Mutalik, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
Those studies were later found to be flawed and eventually pulled.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 24 Nov. 2025
Original studies suggesting a link were flawed and have been discredited.
—Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
Noun
-
Intel said this allows advanced workloads such as real-time defect inspection, predictive maintenance, and intelligent monitoring to run directly at the edge, cutting reliance on the cloud.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Rubella, also called German measles, is mild in children but devastating to fetuses, causing deafness, heart defects and intellectual disabilities when pregnant women are infected.—
Jake Scott,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Stay away from windows as flying debris generated by damaging winds can be deadly.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
-
According to Brown, Hurricane Michael damaged 80 percent of the park’s namesake trees, but through a project with the Florida Park Service and Atlanta Botanical Garden, seeds obtained from living trees are being grown and planted in the ravine habitat at Torreya State Park.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot.—
Brian Bell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2026
-
The simplest justification for museum construction is structural necessity: ceilings blotch, plumbing and heating go on the fritz.—
Jackson Arn,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
This dynamic marred the 2012-13 Hurricane Sandy package and has recurred in other disaster bills, not because relief is illegitimate but because speed plus political cover invites provisions that would die in regular order.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Sook’s comments followed Nexstar’s report of quarterly results, which were marred by the absence of political advertising compared with the same quarter in 2024.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Those years left scars that never fully healed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The deep scars of prolonged conflict require time to heal, and enduring progress demands patience, tolerance, and genuine mutual understanding across all segments of Syrian society.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And although lightweight, the shoe doesn’t compromise on support — it’s designed with a memory foam sole that absorbs impact and provides an extra layer of padding.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Autoliv and Tensor say their co-developed system is intended to remove those constraints without compromising safety.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When Dobbins was first injured, a source close to him said the best-case scenario for his return was if the Broncos made the Super Bowl.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
10 Jan. 2026
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Dellandrea was injured in the Sharks’ game on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets as his right leg struck the post after he was inadvertently tripped while driving to the net.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Both have endured crippling US sanctions that have precipitated economic collapses.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In November 2021, while massing troops along its border with Ukraine, Russia threatened to cripple GPS if NATO got in the way.—
Letters to the Editor,
Washington Post,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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