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
Umang Modi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Even during preparations at Camp David the flaws in the strategy became evident.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
David Lareau, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Since Trump pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 deal that curbed Iran's uranium enrichment activity, deeming the accord deeply flawed, Tehran has accumulated a stockpile of uranium refined to levels close to what would be suitable for nuclear bomb fuel, Reuters reports.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Noun
Instead of receiving backlash, they are thanked, and the flaw is corrected before it is rolled out.
—Umang Modi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Even during preparations at Camp David the flaws in the strategy became evident.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Verb
If a healthcare organization is building AI initiatives using data from a repository filled with errors or gaps, the resulting output will be flawed.
—David Lareau, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Since Trump pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 deal that curbed Iran's uranium enrichment activity, deeming the accord deeply flawed, Tehran has accumulated a stockpile of uranium refined to levels close to what would be suitable for nuclear bomb fuel, Reuters reports.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
Noun
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This doesn’t help since defects cluster and entire batches quietly go rogue while the QA team nods at those green dashboards.—
Raghu Para,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
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The woman told Matt about a patient at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, James Jansky, who was dying from a heart defect.—
The Tennessean,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
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Anything that damages the trust between the vendor, Microsoft, and the user is as much a threat as the hackers themselves, in my never humble opinion.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
White blotches — the frostbitten tissue — swelled on the roof of his mouth, uvula and throat.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
2 July 2025
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Verticillium wilt causes similar blotches and yellowing.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2025
Verb
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The Mets go the way of Francisco Lindor, and he’s been marred in his own slump this month.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2025
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The last weekend of June in Indianapolis was marred by a rash of shootings that left seven dead and nine others injured.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
30 June 2025
Noun
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The matter is complicated by the 2022 inflation crisis — the worst in 40 years — and the psychological scars from that episode.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
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With the scars of the possible anti-LGBTQ+ attack still visible, here was The Sugar Maple, not deterred.—
Jack Albright,
jsonline.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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If medical schools don’t prepare students to lead clinical application of these tools, for-profit companies and private equity firms will focus solely on ways to lower costs, even when these approaches compromise medical care.—
Robert Pearl,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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The horse helped compromised Indigenous power even before tribes had their first confrontations with the US Army.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
6 July 2025
Verb
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While Trump suffered a wound when one bullet grazed his ear, others were injured and volunteer firefighter Corey Comperatore died as a result of the shooting.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
13 July 2025
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In recent weeks, WWE has teased some huge feuds for Gunther, including one with Seth Rollins, who was injured on Saturday, that seems unlikely given Rollins’ other rivalries and the fact that both stars are heels.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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