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
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 9 June 2026
Another, named BlueHammer, is also a local privilege escalation flaw that provides SYSTEM rights.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
This decision is flawed on its face.
—A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Noun
However, the coherent ones are caused by flaws in the hardware and are therefore fixable.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 9 June 2026
Another, named BlueHammer, is also a local privilege escalation flaw that provides SYSTEM rights.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026
Verb
This process is flawed and it can be changed.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
This decision is flawed on its face.
—A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
Noun
-
The other reversed aging in blood-forming stem cells in mice by repairing a single cellular defect.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
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During testing, Claude Mythos was able to exploit thousands of bugs and software defects in major operating systems and browsers online, but it was never widely released to the public.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Even some supporters called that a mistake that damaged his credibility.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
Elation veered into chaos as revelers clashed with police, a teen was shot, multiple people were stabbed and vehicles torched or damaged, leading to at least 63 arrests.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Inadequate iron causes young leaves to appear yellow with green veins, while magnesium deficiency causes blotches or spots on older leaves.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
-
The sides may be mottled with brown blotches.—
Ken Perrotte,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Moss’s performance last Sunday was marred by Washington’s final drive in overtime, when receiver Deebo Samuel beat him for a 38-yard route down the right sideline to set up a Commanders touchdown.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
6 Dec. 2025
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The 2018 and 2022 World Cups, awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively, were marred by controversy surrounding their assignment and the host governments’ authoritarian tendencies and human rights credentials.—
Gabriel Sama,
Mercury News,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The scars left by this Western Conference Final defeat to the Chicago Wolves in seven games will linger.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
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And for those with facial scars, freckles, a lazy eye, big ears and big teeth, there is someone out there for you.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Passwords already warns you when a password may be weak or compromised.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
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The Knicks’ plan to run offense through Towns was compromised almost immediately.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Police did not reveal the identities of the six on board or the condition of those injured.—
Diego Mendoza,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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One person was killed and another was injured Tuesday by a shooter at a Delaware hospital who remains at large, police said.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The fall broke both his legs, crippling him.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
14 June 2026
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However, thanks to this unconventional build, Argus can traverse a wide range of terrains, move with equal ease in almost any direction, and shrug off damage that would cripple many robots.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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