as in defects
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 damages
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 flaws
Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 15 May 2026
But a series of Miami Herald articles detailed significant flaws in the investigation, including several key witnesses whom investigators never followed up with.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
Though these character flaws may lessen as the models grow more powerful, many experts express concern about the potential risks of using today’s AI models in this way.
—Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 15 May 2026
Anyone who signed their name on a clipboard already knows the flaws.
—Adam Davis, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
Still, the fact that the Ontario government recommended AI summary systems with such obvious and potentially patient-harming flaws should give pause to any doctors (or their patients) making use of them.
—ArsTechnica, 14 May 2026
Weighing just 18 pounds (8 kilograms), the chair is light enough to pick up one handed but bulky enough to stay grounded, while a fiber layer atop the cushion similarly counters the flaws of its predecessor by preventing unwanted moisture or noises.
—Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
There’s really no flaws with him.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Every team has flaws, but another exit in a similar manner would suggest Minnesota’s are indeed fatal.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026
Noun
Studio technology hadn’t yet advanced enough to smooth out the natural flaws in performance.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 15 May 2026
But a series of Miami Herald articles detailed significant flaws in the investigation, including several key witnesses whom investigators never followed up with.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
Though these character flaws may lessen as the models grow more powerful, many experts express concern about the potential risks of using today’s AI models in this way.
—Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 15 May 2026
Anyone who signed their name on a clipboard already knows the flaws.
—Adam Davis, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
Still, the fact that the Ontario government recommended AI summary systems with such obvious and potentially patient-harming flaws should give pause to any doctors (or their patients) making use of them.
—ArsTechnica, 14 May 2026
Weighing just 18 pounds (8 kilograms), the chair is light enough to pick up one handed but bulky enough to stay grounded, while a fiber layer atop the cushion similarly counters the flaws of its predecessor by preventing unwanted moisture or noises.
—Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
There’s really no flaws with him.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Every team has flaws, but another exit in a similar manner would suggest Minnesota’s are indeed fatal.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaws
Noun
-
An inspector can catch defects before closing while the builder is still obligated to correct them.—
Ryan Brennan
May 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
-
Condos are particularly tough for builders to invest in because California law allows homeowners associations, or HOAs, to sue developers for construction defects for up to 10 years after a building is completed.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Even one drink of alcohol damages the immune system, lowering its ability to battle invaders within 20 minutes of consumption.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
Nebraska 2nd District The leading Democratic hopefuls in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District have been battling over whether one candidate's campaign damages the party's competitiveness in the area.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
In humans, glial scars form very quickly after injury.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
Harris also shows us the burn scars that ripple up Racine’s arm and across Anaia’s face, textured skin that makes strangers blanch, to which Racine lashes out defensively.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
No sadness mars the purity of its paranoia.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
However, an earnestness mars most of the proceedings.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Soon, red blotches were sprouting on his skin.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
-
These grow to form blotches that have lighter and darker zones appearing as irregular concentric rings that grow throughout the season until the entire leaf turns black and dies.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Taking Gobert out compromises the Timberwolves’ defense significantly, making the Wolves vulnerable to rim attacks and offensive rebounds.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
But there is some concern about how the infection might manifest if contracted by someone with uncontrolled HIV or another condition that compromises the immune system.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The ongoing war in Iran could also seriously complicate cable repair attempts as maintenance vessels must remain stationary for extended periods while fixing faults, experts say.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
-
The researchers also say the study highlights how fluids inside faults can strongly influence earthquake behavior, something scientists are increasingly recognizing as a key factor in seismic activity.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
This storyline later appeared in the second season of Girls, as Dunham’s character Hannah is overwhelmed with the anxiety of writing a novel and similarly injures herself.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
-
In her desperation to ask Val for a job on the new sitcom, Sharon falls and injures herself.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flaws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaws. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
