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
Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Rai played his final 10 holes in six-under par and without a blemish on the scorecard before signing for a 65 and a three-shot victory at nine-under overall.
—Mark Harris, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Emily Reynolds, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Amorim cupped his hand round the back of Casemiro’s neck as the midfielder’s eyes focused down on the turf, a man possibly contemplating how his perfect record in five Champions League finals had become blemished with a loss in the equivalent in Europe’s second-tier competition.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for blemish
Noun
Rai closed in commanding fashion, playing his final 10 holes in six-under par without a blemish on the scorecard en route to a closing 65 and a three-shot victory at nine-under overall.
—Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Rai played his final 10 holes in six-under par and without a blemish on the scorecard before signing for a 65 and a three-shot victory at nine-under overall.
—Mark Harris, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Verb
Reputational damage occurs when a business’s name is blemished in some manner.
—Emily Reynolds, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Amorim cupped his hand round the back of Casemiro’s neck as the midfielder’s eyes focused down on the turf, a man possibly contemplating how his perfect record in five Champions League finals had become blemished with a loss in the equivalent in Europe’s second-tier competition.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for blemish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blemish
Noun
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Tom's congenital heart defect and small lungs also relied heavily on his brother to keep him alive.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
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Since 2023, his BD Excellence program has rolled out the defect-eliminating principles that Toyota first championed decades ago, from BD’s supply chain operations and manufacturing facilities, to its R&D and sales teams.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
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But six years after NASA certified SpaceX to ferry crews to and from the ISS, Boeing’s Starliner still lacks approval for regular crew rotation flights after a 2024 test flight was marred by technical issues.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
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In Strasbourg, groups of Palace supporters clashed among themselves in a square in the city centre, marring the occasion.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
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If a boat comes loose and damages other property, uninsured owners may be liable.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 May 2026
Noun
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Soon, red blotches were sprouting on his skin.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
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That became a mere blotch on the ugly outing, as the error did not figure into any scoring when Brice Turang followed with a one-out double and Gary Sánchez with a two-out double.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Does the fact that Burden is still pretty wealthy really taint this tale of heartbreak?—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
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Otherwise, journalism may be perceived as misleading the audience, prompting people to turn to other sources of information that may be tainted by self-interest rather than public interest.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Star center Nathan MacKinnon was able to play in this game despite getting injured in Game 3.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
27 May 2026
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De Zerbi made fringe and injured members of the squad feel included.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Noun
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And there was Bob, wearing something like a bicycle helmet, scars visible across his body.—
Martha Raddatz,
The Atlantic,
25 May 2026
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The treatment can target skin issues like fine lines, acne scars, enlarged pores and uneven texture.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Not every paramilitary fighter is stained by the corruption of the Shia elite or implicated in spilling innocent blood in recent years.—
Nabil Salih,
Time,
26 May 2026
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Dressing up for warmer weather can be a challenge since plush fabrics like silk can easily stain and aren’t as breathable.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blemish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blemish. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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