as in defect
something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing
the first mirror had a blemish on its surface, so we took it back to the store
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to mar
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
a single indiscretion blemished the rabbi's reputation for years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to damage
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
a scratch blemished the finish on the car
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blemish
Felicity Carter, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
But the blemishes were few and far between for a physical offensive lineman with an old-school approach to the game.
—Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2024
Despite providing the complexion with tons of hydration, this skincare formula still feels lightweight enough for acne-prone skin and would make an excellent option for those with dry yet blemished skin.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 18 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for blemish
Noun
Retinol is a powerhouse ingredient that speeds up cellular renewal, refines the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and, for those with more oily or congested skin, prevents breakouts and blemishes.
—Felicity Carter, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
But the blemishes were few and far between for a physical offensive lineman with an old-school approach to the game.
—Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
Not even the loss of Kyle Bradish could blemish their sheen.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2024
Despite providing the complexion with tons of hydration, this skincare formula still feels lightweight enough for acne-prone skin and would make an excellent option for those with dry yet blemished skin.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 18 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for blemish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blemish
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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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
Verb
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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
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Displays of authenticity, executed improperly, can damage reputations and even derail careers.—
Harrison Monarth,
Forbes,
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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With Marxism tainted by its aggressive materialism, and mere democratic socialism so mere, anarchism could be imagined as a series of defiant spiritual acts.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
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Bove asserted that the case needs to be set aside for now for two reasons: It was tainted by politics and the prosecution interferes with Adams’ ability to be mayor.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
24 Feb. 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
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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Headless mannequins wearing the shirts of Marlon, William and Matheus Pereira — stained in red to resemble blood — were hung days after Cruzeiro’s penalty defeat to America MG in the Campeonato Mineiro semi-finals.—
Colin Millar,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
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Basically, color bleeding is when the dye of clothes seeps into the water during a wash cycles and stains other clothes in the load.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blemish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blemish. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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