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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of blemish
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025
While the on-track record carries few blemishes, there was some drama off the track in the Horner era.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Results have been strong since last summer, with only a draw at Wembley against England and a defeat against Japan in the SheBelieves Cup blemishing Hayes’ U.S. record.
—Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blemish
Noun
The eyesore had been an empty blemish, abandoned by the hotel operator in 2018 with all furnishings left behind, including everything guests would need, such as beds.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025
While the on-track record carries few blemishes, there was some drama off the track in the Horner era.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Verb
When blooms do open, petals are blemished, with silvery-white or brown edges.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Results have been strong since last summer, with only a draw at Wembley against England and a defeat against Japan in the SheBelieves Cup blemishing Hayes’ U.S. record.
—Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blemish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blemish
Noun
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Requiring customers to provide proof of defects (like photos) eliminated most of the positive effects.—
Roger Dooley,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
-
Dozens of owners of brand-new homes in Caldwell and elsewhere in Southwest Idaho have told the Idaho Statesman about construction defects, including poor ventilation that traps moisture and mold, water intrusion and structural problems from poor framing.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
24 July 2025
Verb
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During questioning at the Austin Police Department, Mejia marred her credibility and inadvertently presented herself as a compulsive liar by initially telling police different stories about how Casiano was burned.—
Bianca Moreno-Paz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Processing The Hulkster’s legacy in real-time is tough — not just because of his greatness, but because of the blemishes that marred his career inside and outside the ring.—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
24 July 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Noun
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The loaches are generally brown and yellow, with saddle-like blotches along their backs, according to the study.—
Irene Wright
July 9,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
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It’s usually identified by its white, fleshy taproot with reddish spots that resemble a parsnip, along with hollow stems marked by small purple blotches, according to the N.C. State Extension.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Zelensky, claims that these crackdowns are needed because anti-corruption investigations were tainted by Russian influence and were doing Putin’s bidding.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
24 July 2025
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King’s family objected to the release, saying the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s surveillance of the progressive leader was tainted by the agency’s political bent at the time.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Shooting comes 3 years after another incident The July 25 shooting comes less than three years after another fatal attack at a University of New Mexico housing building left one student dead and three campus visitors injured.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
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Those deaths included two sisters, ages 5 and 4, who were strangled by the same man who had just strangled their mother in front of them, and a 2-month-old boy who was being held in his mother’s arms as his father repeatedly punched her, fatally injuring the infant.—
Ashley Luthern,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
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Steer hides are like any other hides, including yours, and they’re sometimes covered with the scratches and scars of a life lived.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 July 2025
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If untreated, these patches can lead to scars and permanent hair loss.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
29 July 2025
Verb
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However, the damage was done, thanks to the anchoring bias where the news broke, it was already stained in people’s memory.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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It was stained in several places, disintegrating around the edges, and already yellowing due to years of exposure to air and sunlight and, quite possibly, pipe tobacco.—
Darcy Ballantyne
July 16,
Literary Hub,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blemish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blemish. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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