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
Relevance
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
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 blemish
Jordan Greene, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
The Dodgers’ only blemish came on a Harris home run off Tanner Scott in the eighth.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025
Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
That huge carbon footprint blemishes the reputations of global tech firms such as Google and Apple, which are pressuring suppliers to set high bars for their own environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for blemish
Noun
The Nashville local also never struggled with acne, scarring or blemishes.
—Jordan Greene, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
The Dodgers’ only blemish came on a Harris home run off Tanner Scott in the eighth.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
Denver looked set to blemish the Chiefs’ undefeated campaign, until Wil Lutz’s 35-yarder was stuffed at the line.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
That huge carbon footprint blemishes the reputations of global tech firms such as Google and Apple, which are pressuring suppliers to set high bars for their own environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for blemish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blemish
Noun
-
Doctors later discovered that Figari’s stroke was caused by a previously undetected congenital heart defect called a patent foramen ovale (PFO), in which a hole between the left and right chambers of the heart is left open as opposed to closing after birth, according to Penn Medicine.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
With the help of this technology, defects were significantly reduced.—
Michael Amori,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The dashboard was part of an extended pressure campaign from Buttigieg, who, during his tenure in the Biden administration, publicly challenged the major carriers to improve service and transparency—particularly after a summer marred by cancellations and flight delays.—
Bailey Berg,
AFAR Media,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Indeed, Delaney’s personal life has been marred by what appears to be a pretty entrenched drinking problem, which has affected her career and led to very un-Diane Russell-like brushes with the law, the Daily Mail and other outlets have reported.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Mineral extraction has damaging social consequences in developing countries, where the impoverished are often compelled to work in unsafe and unhygienic conditions.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Arson – To unlawfully and intentionally damage or attempt to damage any real or personal property of another person or entity by fire or incendiary device.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But this season, the one with the 4-15-0 blotch on the calendar from late November to early January, there’s no way to feel OK about Sunday.—
Arthur Staple,
The Athletic,
17 Mar. 2025
-
The fish have white faces with a black blotch in front of the eyes, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Apologies to the late John Lennon, but that song has been tainted for many. Need a break?—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
-
The river is tainted with harmful toxins from industrial waste, trash and untreated sewage.—
Kimberly Dickson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The spill killed 11 people and injured 17 others as 210 million gallons of crude oil were released into the Gulf of Mexico (recently renamed by the U.S. government as Gulf of America) for a total of 87 days.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Memorial at Florida State University after a fatal shooting killed two people and injured several others.—
Kati Weis,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Countless Black women, like Justice, live with the long-term mental and physical scars of pregnancy and birth.—
Essence,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The 44-year-old actress and breast cancer survivor opened up about her scars being visible during intimate scenes, while promoting their new Apple TV+ drama series Your Friends and Neighbors.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
If Bonhoeffer’s example is used to justify more far-right Christian violence in America, that would be another tragedy — and a cruel irony that would stain the legacy of a man who gave up everything to confront a tyrant.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Pérez's manager, Enrique Paulino, spoke to reporters at the scene, his shirt stained with blood.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blemish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blemish. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share