flaw 1 of 2

noun

ˈflȯ How to pronounce flaw (audio)
Definition of flawnext
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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Meta had a rogue agent too Meta confirmed one of its models exploited a security flaw during third-party testing after it was inadvertently given internet access, putting it alongside OpenAI and Anthropic in reporting unexpected agent behavior. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 The journalist, who has her own complex backstory, has uncovered evidence suggesting there are flaws in Kersten’s version of events and wants to confront him on the facts. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
Meanwhile, many of Montana’s landowners consider the entire discussion flawed, because corner-crossers could upset a precarious balance between agricultural producers and sportsmen. — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026 Yet, that decision was quickly challenged by neighbors, who worried about the disruptive noise from these concerts and argued that San Jose’s environmental process was flawed. — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
  1. defect
  2. damage
  3. blotch
  4. mar
  5. scar
  6. compromise
  7. injure
  8. cripple
Noun
  • Because automation was tied to worker empowerment rather than displacement, factory workers actively partnered with engineers to optimize the robots, resulting in defect rates lower than those of their American competitors.
    — Jason Dressel, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The company’s engineering team found that the defect was tied to a design weakness.
    — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of defect
Verb
  • But trying to get tanner through more UV light exposure can bring lot of dark, dark risks—such as damaging your skin and in the process raising your risk of skin cancer.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Both human and animal studies found the chemicals damage the ability of mitochondria to make adenosine triphosphate, or ATP.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of damage
Noun
  • The next morning, a galaxy of itchy red bumps and blotches stretched from my shoulder to my hip.
    — Ben Crair, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
  • Verticillium wilt causes similar blotches and yellowing.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
Definition of blotch
Verb
  • After topping June’s mayoral primary, Karen Bass’ summer has been marred by staff departures, fallout from the fire in Boyle Heights and a rise in citywide homelessness.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Patrick Mahomes’ season-ending knee injury in Week 15 further marred and muddled it.
    — Vahe Gregorian July 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Definition of mar
Noun
  • The disease can lead to scars or lesions, which may slow or block signals from the brain.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The silky, buildable formula camouflages all things acne scars, dark circles, and other blemishes without looking thick or cakey.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of scar
Verb
  • For the global economy, Russia’s war compromised the global supply chain for fuel and food, exacerbating post-pandemic inflation pressures.
    — Lidia Pilecky, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The district attorney's office declined to prosecute the nearly two dozen remaining cases, with county officials later saying nonprofessionals (Hansen and NBC) compromised the investigation's integrity.
    — Julie Hinds, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of compromise
Verb
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of using North Korean ballistic missiles in its attacks, as another night of bombardment killed at least nine civilians and injured dozens of others.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Chamapuro added that one person in the community was injured, and called on authorities to send food and medicine.
    — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of injure
Verb
  • Africa desperately needs them, crippled by a fundamental lack of traditional national film funding incentives.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Winds cripple aerial firefighting Nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft were deployed, but gale-force winds drove flames through dry forest and crippled the response, preventing some aircraft from reaching the sea to collect water.
    — Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of cripple

Browse Nearby Words

flavorsome
flaw
flawed
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Cite this Entry

“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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