as in imperfect
having a fault
promptly took the defective microwave oven back to the store for a replacement
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of defective
The first trial in one of the largest U.S. mass torts ever kicks off Monday with 3M defending itself against claims that its Combat Arms earplugs were knowingly defective, harming the hearing of tens of thousands of soldiers.
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Mike Hughlett, Star Tribune, 28 Mar. 2021
The hope is that this approach will provide new olfactory receptor neurons for people whose own have been permanently damaged or defective since birth.
—Emma Young, Discover Magazine, 3 Aug. 2015
Overheated or defective batteries can catch fire or even explode, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2023
Those factories could provide the recyclers with a great deal of defective or excess battery material, particularly in their early years.
—Kellen Browning, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for defective 
Mike Hughlett, Star Tribune, 28 Mar. 2021
The hope is that this approach will provide new olfactory receptor neurons for people whose own have been permanently damaged or defective since birth.
—Emma Young, Discover Magazine, 3 Aug. 2015
Overheated or defective batteries can catch fire or even explode, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2023
Those factories could provide the recyclers with a great deal of defective or excess battery material, particularly in their early years.
—Kellen Browning, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for defective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defective
Adjective
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Data protection laws, which exist in the European Union and, somewhat ironically, China, are an imperfect but necessary starting point.Johanna Costigan, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
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Because private schools can draw students from different districts, comparing their racial composition to a single district’s public schools is imperfect.Sergio Hernandez, ProPublica, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Some of them haven't been that bad, and some of them have been egregious.Mike Miller, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025
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Trump's first term was considered really bad at -4%.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Better than biogas Despite the shortcomings of California’s decision to value manure biogas so highly, there was some logic — however flawed — to the decision.Kenny Torrella, Vox, 13 Jan. 2025
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But an analysis by the Associated Press late last year found the study had relied on old and flawed data to make its conclusions.Will Carless, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Investigators have pointed to a bird strike, faulty landing gear and the runway barrier as possible issues.Paolo Confino, Fortune Asia, 11 Jan. 2025
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The faulty messages that bombarded residents’ phones multiple times Thursday and Friday — including in the middle of the night — stoked confusion and panic across the vast county of 10 million.Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Garnish the top with broken pieces of graham crackers for a bit of crunch.Amanda Holstein, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2025
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Teammate Jaylen Watson, who is recovering from a broken ankle, also mentioned the storm in a social-media message.Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near defective
Cite this Entry
“Defective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defective. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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