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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of flaw
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025
My partner loved ‘em despite this minor flaw.
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Oct. 2025
Liyam Chitayat, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2025
Past attempts at crop substitution failed due to bureaucratic hurdles, missing funds, and flawed agricultural projects.
—Bram Ebus, Time, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Noun
The flaws in Down Cemetery Road are not insignificant.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025
My partner loved ‘em despite this minor flaw.
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Although flawed in many ways, the BWC has helped prevent the spread of biological weapons.
—Liyam Chitayat, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2025
Past attempts at crop substitution failed due to bureaucratic hurdles, missing funds, and flawed agricultural projects.
—Bram Ebus, Time, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
Noun
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Demi, who was born and raised in South Africa, had a half-sister, Franje Peters, with a congenital brain defect.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
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When the wafer is rinsed, these clumps redeposit onto the surface, causing the defects.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Just under two million Palestinians—virtually the entire population of Gaza—have been displaced since October 2023, many repeatedly, and Israeli forces have damaged or destroyed more than 90 percent of homes in the Strip.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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This protection also works to protect plants that are marginally hardy in your area, such as hydrangeas blooming on old wood that may not bloom if their flower buds are damaged by cold.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Photos show the Maratus australis spider, which has an intricate pattern of blue and brown blotches edged with bright teal and red-orange stripes.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
4 Nov. 2025
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The one blemish — or ugly blotch — was that crushing 7-2 Champions League defeat against Paris Saint-Germain last week.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Even now, plans are underway to determine how best to retire and deorbit the aging laboratory – which has been marred by air leaks and other issues – likely around 2030.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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International rights groups have criticized the electoral process which has been marred by low voter turnout, a night curfew and internet shutdown as protesters have taken to the streets of major cities for the third day since election day.—
Martin K.N Siele,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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She's had virtually no pain, only a little bit of swelling and no noticeable scars (the incisions were made in her hairline).—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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Hilaria Baldwin only lasted four episodes on Dancing With the Stars, but her scars will take time to fade.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Two years later, after more legal wrangling, the Connecticut Supreme Court voted narrowly to overturn his conviction, ruling that Skakel's right to a fair trial was compromised by ineffective legal representation.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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Several aviation experts tell CNN that passenger safety is not being compromised, but travelers should plan for long waits — sometimes several hours.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Across Japan, at least 13 people have been killed and more than 100 injured since April this year, according to government figures – the highest numbers since records began in 2006.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Four students and the Suburban's driver were transported to a local hospital, Murphy said, adding that the bus driver was not injured.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Since then, they've been forced to work remotely — at a time when the government was doling out return-to-office mandates — preventing access to labs and crippling the center's mission of embedding NASA climate scientists within international academia.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
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The agency warned that depleting the reserve could cripple the Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) program, which provides emergency food assistance after natural disasters.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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