as in defective
having a fault
an imperfect representation of the circumstances surrounding Paul Revere's famous ride
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Recent Examples of imperfect
DeepMind’s researchers acknowledge that the model is imperfect.
—
Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 28 Jan. 2026
But the comparison between this Administration and the Third Reich is an imperfect one.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
Habits are built through repetition under imperfect conditions, not through short bursts of maximal effort.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Trevor becomes the person who gives Simon permission to be imperfect, to make mistakes, to take up space without apology.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imperfect
Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 28 Jan. 2026
But the comparison between this Administration and the Third Reich is an imperfect one.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
Habits are built through repetition under imperfect conditions, not through short bursts of maximal effort.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Trevor becomes the person who gives Simon permission to be imperfect, to make mistakes, to take up space without apology.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imperfect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperfect
Adjective
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Todorovich is focusing on enterprise-wide business models but is not placing buys or negotiating return to vendors involving returning defective, damaged or unsold merchandise back to the supplier or manufacturer.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The partnership unraveled in 2007 over what MacNeil alleged were defective mats.—
Monica Hunter-Hart,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Azzi Fudd scored 27 points and Sarah Strong added 26 to help UConn beat Tennessee, handing the Lady Vols their worst loss in the storied rivalry.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
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To that end, here’s a selection of the best (and most enjoyably bad) literary film and TV coming to streaming services this month.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For many viewers, the plot lines feel human, flawed and real.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
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While much has been made about the Heat potentially being positioned to make a better offer to the Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo if Milwaukee were to wait for the offseason for such a move, that reasoning is somewhat flawed.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imperfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperfect. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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