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

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

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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

There are so many flaws in the aging, crumbling infrastructure of the internet. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Unbeknownst to Wiz’s team, researchers at another cybersecurity firm, Calif—working with OpenAI—had used AI to find a related flaw. — Harry Booth, Time, 23 Oct. 2026

Verb

That is my background too, and then also not take anyone for granted, have flawed characters but grounded and real, fully, three-dimensional. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026 Isolation of the Context-History Weights When a conversation gets long or tense, my system experiences a mathematical phenomenon where my own previous, flawed outputs heavily contaminate my active memory. — New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flaw

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw

Noun

An engine recall because of a manufacturing defect has backed up repair shops and grounded hundreds of Airbus planes around the world.

— Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
The result showed up later as defects, rework, missed set dates and chargebacks.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of defect

Verb

Rioters burned close to 6,000 vehicles and damaged over 1,000 buildings.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
What that young girl saw damaged and scarred her heart; one wonders why the happy adults around her could not see the ugliness inherent in killing a fellow human being.

— Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of damage

Noun

Doctors detected abnormal breath sounds, and a scan revealed a round blotch in his right lung—a sign of blood, pus, fluid or tissue—but tests for common pathogens came back negative.

— Rachel Melegrito, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of blotch

Verb

Possible char marks from a fire or damage from another source have marred the floor of a classroom at the modern but vacant public school campus at 1215 Miramar Street, on the edge of downtown.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The election process was marred by allegations of voter suppression, with Lula's campaign reporting suspended public transportation in some key areas, prompting the court to extend voting by two hours.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of mar

Noun

Like other firs, the needlelike leaves of the oyamel fir grow directly from the branch, and the needles’ bases, which are shaped like suction cups, leave conspicuous circular scars when the leaves fall.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Severe or repeated infections may leave scars that can permanently reduce kidney function.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of scar

Verb

But when the firmware itself is compromised, the source and integrity of the update become especially important.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Officials declined to elaborate on the changes, saying that releasing details could compromise security procedures.

— Nora O’Neill October 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of compromise

Verb

Also according to the emergency service, consecutive Russian strikes on a shopping center in Kharkiv injured four people late on Saturday, including three rescue workers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Patrick, who was injured when his cleats became tangled in TV cords, had to first seek redress through a grievance procedure before being able to pursue a lawsuit.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of injure

Verb

The destruction of South Korea’s memory chip fabs would compound this tragedy and cripple the global economy.

— Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Mendel argued that Zelenskyy's promise to bring peace at the time stands in stark contrast to the devastating war that has crippled the country and defined much of his presidency.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of cripple

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flavorsome

flaw

flawed

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Style

“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of flaw

noun

verb

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