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
Relevance
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 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
Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 After journalists and security researchers discovered and detailed these flaws, Microsoft delayed the Recall rollout by almost a year and substantially overhauled its security. —Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2026
Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026 Player recruitment was muddled, managerial appointments flawed (Remi Garde lasted 147 days in that relegation season) and the team underperformed. —Stuart James, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flaw
Noun
Such flaws have made early-life reviews common among LCS, something that is not broadly true among the Navy’s much larger and far more sophisticated Burke-class destroyers. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 After journalists and security researchers discovered and detailed these flaws, Microsoft delayed the Recall rollout by almost a year and substantially overhauled its security. —Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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 Player recruitment was muddled, managerial appointments flawed (Remi Garde lasted 147 days in that relegation season) and the team underperformed. —Stuart James, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
Noun
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Investigators later traced that leak to a factory defect in the pipe.— Lexi Salazar, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
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The defect allows the optical readout of an electron spin, which in turn is sensitive to changes in magnetic fields or temperature.— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Washington’s version of McCall is disciplined but damaged, and possibly afflicted with something like obsessive-compulsive disorder.— Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
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In fact, Gerrod Moore, a brand manager of Maytag advises against uninformed stainless steel cleaning experimentation, because some kitchen cleaning go-to's like bleach, glass cleaner, abrasive cleaners, and steel wool may damage the metal.— Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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The eggs vary in color—from white to blue to brown—with speckles, blotches, and other markings and are also distinctive in shape.— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But her career has been marred by high-profile incidents — including being photographed in 2007 with a freshly shaven head hitting a car with an umbrella.— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026
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Sunday’s vote was marred by delays in distributing electoral materials in several districts of Lima, forcing authorities to extend voting into Monday.— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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James said nothing changes in his preparation from the regular season to the postseason, even when a looming battle against Rockets star Kevin Durant might reopen old playoff scars on Saturday night.— Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
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Pasco was described as a white man with a prominent scar on the right side of his face.— Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Five private chefs to fearsome dictators all over the world share their experiences of the kitchens and circumstances that led them to these sometimes dangerous and often morally compromising workplaces.— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
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But Gumbs was uninterested in compromising on his goal of playing against the best.— Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The shootings took place at multiple locations early Sunday morning, leaving eight children dead, two adult women wounded -- the mothers of his children -- and another woman and child injured.— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Apr. 2026
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Police said that the child who was attacked was injured and was taken to UPMC Children's Hospital for treatment.— Mike Darnay, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The move crippled the agency — as intended.— Tracy Stone-Manning, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
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Eden outlined how, by crippling universities over charges of antisemitism, McMahon could also achieve larger goals.— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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