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
But more importantly for DJI, a new local-only data mode should go some way to reassuring anyone concerned by the first Romo’s serious security flaws. — Dominic Preston, The Verge, 3 Sep. 2026 The Biden-era EPA issued a draft report raising some concerns — a report Trump officials said had serious flaws. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
This analysis made several assumptions, some of which were flawed (though entirely reasonably). — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 10 June 2026 That process can be tedious, may involve delays due to issues with resources, outdated technology or flawed data reporting practices, and may ultimately result in partial data or data with redactions. — Divya Ramjee, The Conversation, 8 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
  • Autonomous navigation Transcatheter closure is a minimally invasive technique that repairs structural heart defects without open-heart surgery.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) conducts screenings on the general population for those between 14 and 35 years old and found that one in every 300 people has a life-threatening heart defect.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of defect
Verb
  • The missile killed four sailors and damaged the ship’s equipment, but the crew contained the damage and the Hanit limped home.
    — HOLMES LIAO, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Desalination plants in the Gulf have been targeted and damaged during the US-Iran war, raising significant alarm in a region that depends overwhelmingly on this technology.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of damage
Noun
  • 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
  • Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of blotch
Verb
  • The tenures of the two subsequent chief baseball executives, Billy Eppler and Minasian, were marred by Moreno’s intrusions, sources said.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Amnesty International had called on the Court of Cassation to overturn the convictions, describing the case as politically motivated and saying the trial was marred by due process and other violations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of mar
Noun
  • Cardiac arrhythmia ablation, according to the British Heart Foundation, is when heat or cold energy is used to create tiny scars in the heart to block faulty signals and restore a typical heartbeat.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Wildfire burn scars increase the chances for flash-flooding events.
    — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of scar
Verb
  • Researchers also need to determine whether damage can recover without compromising superconducting performance.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The victims were told their bank account, Social Security number or other personal information had been compromised.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of compromise
Verb
  • Less than a week after Baltimore spent $5 million to claim him off waivers, Robert injured his hamstring.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • At a separate Ohio event, an armed assailant charged toward Democratic candidate for Ohio governor Amy Acton during a Sunday stop at the Canfield Fair and injured several people before he was stopped by troopers, authorities said.
    — Patrick Whittle, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of injure
Verb
  • Our protagonist has been crippled with doubts about the miller’s daughter and prone to emotional highs and lows.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The Kawhi Leonard deal, and the financial malfeasance that came with it, has crippled the franchise.
    — Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 9 Sep. 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 Sep. 2026.

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