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
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 6 May 2026
But Jacks was not without his flaws, promiscuity among them.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
In addition to the pious, persevering Goma and flawed Chandravati in the mortal realm, in the divine realm there are the goddesses Sati and her reincarnation as Parvati.
—Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Noun
This is something the former president acknowledged as one of PayPal’s fatal flaws.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 6 May 2026
But Jacks was not without his flaws, promiscuity among them.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Verb
But for someone who was already coming into the job with plenty of skepticism, leading a roster flawed enough to add premium fuel (at roughly the same cost) to that fire, has a second series of the season ever felt this desperately important?
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
In addition to the pious, persevering Goma and flawed Chandravati in the mortal realm, in the divine realm there are the goddesses Sati and her reincarnation as Parvati.
—Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
Noun
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The dogs [which carried the same genetic defect for LCA as humans] had the funny eye movements.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
4 May 2026
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While the Allen and Morens prosecutions move forward, the factual and legal defects in the SPLC and Comey indictments suggest that both defendants will likely succeed in any effort to get their cases tossed out of court.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
Verb
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The Trinity fire, which started May 1 in Phelan, burned 19 acres with no structures damaged, though the blaze destroyed an unknown number of Joshua trees.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
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They’re specifically designed for glass cooktop surfaces and have two sides—a gritty, sandpaper-like one on one side and a soft sponge on the other that gently scrub off stubborn messes and stuck-on bits without scratching or damaging the glass.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
Noun
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These grow to form blotches that have lighter and darker zones appearing as irregular concentric rings that grow throughout the season until the entire leaf turns black and dies.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
This was a black one with blotches faintly outlined in pale yellow, a beautiful but deadly looking animal.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The entire proceedings have been marred by tragedy since the exhibition’s artistic director, Koyo Kouoh, died suddenly of liver cancer in early 2025, leaving her staff to complete the last year of work.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
5 May 2026
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The Australian Jewish Association welcomed the report’s release but said it was marred by failing to address the form of antisemitic extremism said to have motivated the Bondi Beach shooters.—
Philissa Cramer,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Noun
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The legislation is named for the Charlotte 6-year-old found dead in her aunt’s home last year covered in scars and malnourished.—
Mary Ramsey
May 4,
Charlotte Observer,
4 May 2026
-
The pain is much deeper than the scars.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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In this new work, 3D printing and computational design optimization were combined to create a complex, interlocking electrode structure that maximizes storage space without compromising performance.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 May 2026
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For the longest time, Mongeau was not (and still may not be) considered brand safe, a marketing term that, in the case of Mongeau, refers to an individual's online qualities and persona, that may or may not compromise a brand's reputation.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Police said the driver of the SUV was not injured and is cooperating with investigators.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
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Joshua Jahn, 29, killed a detainee, injured two others and fatally shot himself.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That has crippled Iran’s two biggest non-oil exports, and higher prices have affected everything from plastics to pipes, to fabrics and packaging for groceries like milk, butter and cheese.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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That has crippled Iran’s two biggest non-oil exports, and higher prices have affected everything from plastics to pipes, to fabrics and packaging for groceries like milk, butter and cheese.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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