as in imperfect
having a fault
promptly took the defective microwave oven back to the store for a replacement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 defective
Despite knowing the product was defective and replicating customers’ explosions in tests, Sunbeam and its parent company, Newell, told the Consumer Product Safety Commission that the product didn’t need to be recalled and that user error was causing the issue.
—
Sponsored Content, The Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2025
If either the hypothalamus or pituitary gland is damaged or defective, estrogen and testosterone levels will drop.
—James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
The toddlers were treated using gene therapy, through which patients are given a harmless virus containing healthy versions of a defective gene in order to remedy the problem.
—David Prosser, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Put side by side with the Chrome extension, MacKeeper’s Safari extension looks defective.
—PCMAG, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defective
Sponsored Content, The Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2025
If either the hypothalamus or pituitary gland is damaged or defective, estrogen and testosterone levels will drop.
—James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
The toddlers were treated using gene therapy, through which patients are given a harmless virus containing healthy versions of a defective gene in order to remedy the problem.
—David Prosser, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Put side by side with the Chrome extension, MacKeeper’s Safari extension looks defective.
—PCMAG, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defective
Adjective
-
For various examples and further detailed indications about the nature and use of imperfect prompts, see my coverage at the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The Novelty of a Natural Smile: At a time when celebrity veneers seem to be a norm, the actress Aimee Lou Wood has found fans of her perfectly imperfect teeth.—
Alexis Soloski,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That means more time for Rojas, who has shown more bad than good to begin this season.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Thankfully, the kittens were discovered and rescued right in time before something worse fell on them.—
TJ Macias,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But equating time spent with value created is a flawed model.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
-
The American Dental Association has disputed claims that water fluoridation is unsafe, calling the report flawed.—
Alexander Tin,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Less than five months after its release, nearly all vehicle owners received an alert citing a faulty accelerator pedal resulting from misapplied soap instead of lubricant.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Past issues have included a faulty accelerator pedal, a rearview camera problem and a windshield wiper problem.—
Nathan Bomey,
Axios,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Photos taken by the Associated Press on Sunday show broken windows and a damaged door at the front of the residence.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2025
-
In Okonkwo’s case, a broken wrist kept the former Arsenal ’keeper out for 11 league games.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defective. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share