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
Mike Valerio, CNN, 24 Feb. 2025
While last year, a six-year-old girl spotted a major flaw in a homework question, prompting adults to praise her problem-solving skills.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Laura Paddison, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
The roster may be fundamentally flawed, but the coaches also failed to maximize their talent.
—Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Noun
Yoon’s lawyers have also repeatedly argued that his arrest was politically motivated and that the warrant was invalid because of flaws in the way the investigation was conducted.
—Mike Valerio, CNN, 24 Feb. 2025
While last year, a six-year-old girl spotted a major flaw in a homework question, prompting adults to praise her problem-solving skills.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
Public reports of rats are very useful but can be flawed, said field ecologist Parsons.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
The roster may be fundamentally flawed, but the coaches also failed to maximize their talent.
—Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
Noun
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The children all had a variety of birth defects, including missing or underdeveloped fingers, clubbed feet, heart defects, eye problems and skin conditions, per The Times.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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Today, a fetus diagnosed with a complex heart defect can receive care that grants them a future once thought impossible.—
Jack Rychik and Craig Fleishman,
Orlando Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Displays of authenticity, executed improperly, can damage reputations and even derail careers.—
Harrison Monarth,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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Moon dust plagued astronauts and spacecraft during NASA’s Apollo program in the mid-20th century, as the fine and abrasive material damaged camera lenses and visors, according to NASA.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Brighter yellow and golden blotches run along its forehead, sides and lower back.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2025
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The resulting arrangement made the cheese clumps stand out as dark blotches in the photographs taken with an iPhone mounted on a tripod.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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His final season was marred by a shoulder injury and insufficient QB play, but Loveland still led the Wolverines in receptions (56), receiving yards (582) and receiving TDs (five).—
Eddie Brown,
The Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2025
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The election took place seven months earlier than originally planned after Scholz’s unpopular coalition collapsed in November, three years into a term that was increasingly marred by infighting.—
Vanessa Gera,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Many of the selections underscore the social stresses and inequalities of the growing metropolis, the scars left by the harsh military dictatorship that ruled the country from 1976 to 1983, and the human costs of Argentina’s recurrent economic crises.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
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Older Brazilians carry the scars, in many cases literal ones, of their fight against dictatorship.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In today’s environment, where DEI programs are under attack and frequently misunderstood, leaders who invest in building and supporting diverse teams unlock a broader range of perspectives, fueling better decision-making without compromising on standards or quality.—
Rebekah Bastian,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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Does that critical framework become compromised with the infusion of ethnic studies as the primary content?—
Marsha Sutton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And in February, a driver plowed into a protest group in Munich injuring at least 28 people.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
3 Mar. 2025
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One person died and five people were injured during a multi-vehicle crash in Fort Worth Sunday evening, March 2, police said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Mar. 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 12 Mar. 2025.
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