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
Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 3 June 2026
But general relativity has a fatal flaw.
—Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2026
Steven Gray, Time, 29 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Noun
Now that Michael Jackson is too big to fail, and no longer a living man with mortal flaws and moral failures weighing him down, selling the aura is inevitable.
—Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 3 June 2026
But general relativity has a fatal flaw.
—Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2026
Verb
In parts of the world, contradiction is survivable; an artist can be luminous and flawed in the same breath.
—Steven Gray, Time, 29 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
Noun
-
Epitaxial growth of SiC on wafers requires temperatures above 2732°F and precise precursor chemistry; even small process deviations can generate micropipe defects that render devices inoperable.—
Aditya Jadhav,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
-
The safety regulator has flagged a defect that could trigger the unintentional deployment of airbags.—
Francie Ebert,
NBC news,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Firefighters had to cut open the metal drop box to extinguish the fire, and numerous ballots inside were damaged, some charred beyond recognition.—
Jasmine Mendez
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
Scientists theorize that exposing flowering tomato plants to temperatures below 50°F damages the flowers.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
The sides may be mottled with brown blotches.—
Ken Perrotte,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
-
Their bodies vary in color from light to dark gray, have rows of black or charcoal blotches running along them and have a reddish-brown stripe running down the middle of their backs.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
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But six years after NASA certified SpaceX to ferry crews to and from the ISS, Boeing’s Starliner still lacks approval for regular crew rotation flights after a 2024 test flight was marred by technical issues.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
-
In Strasbourg, groups of Palace supporters clashed among themselves in a square in the city centre, marring the occasion.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
After earning those battle scars, fittingly, 2026 was when everything would come together.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
1 June 2026
-
And Buffet’s got the scars to prove it.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The great-grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic struck a defiant tone in an interview with CNN on Thursday, saying Iran shouldn’t compromise on its demands to end the war.—
Frederik Pleitgen,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
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But most importantly, Rebecca, the filmmaker, documentarian, screenwriter, novelist, and painter, who flows between various mediums and art forms, and won awards across all, creates her art without compromising kindness and morality.—
Damon Cardasis,
IndieWire,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Additionally, a jury found Pasqual guilty of first-degree residential burglary and multiple counts of injuring a spouse, cohabitant, fiance's, boyfriend, girlfriend or child's parent.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
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Overnight into Tuesday, waves of drones and missiles struck the capital, killing and injuring civilians and damaging homes, businesses and public buildings.—
Polina Lytvynova,
NPR,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The protest largely crippled the country’s center, with highways closed and public transportation halted by the massive crowds in both Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv metro area.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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Anxiety over ChatGPT and other emerging technology helped derail talks with both unions and the AMPTP in 2023, leading to crippling dual strikes.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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