as in defect
something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing
noted the flaw in the diamond before I bought it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to damage
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
that crack has flawed the vase to the extent that its value in the antiques market is greatly reduced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flaw
Jireh Deng, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025
Given this dynamic, Hausfeld notes that the aggregate number of objectors should not be the sole measure of the settlement’s value or flaws.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Ars Technica, 3 Feb. 2025
However flawed the results, Carter believes this episode highlights a moment of pivotal change in the history of science.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for flaw 
Noun
Local and federal officials are investigating potential flaws in Los Angeles County's emergency alert system.
—Jireh Deng, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025
Given this dynamic, Hausfeld notes that the aggregate number of objectors should not be the sole measure of the settlement’s value or flaws.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
At this point, anyone following artificial intelligence is familiar with the many (often flawed) benchmarks companies use to demonstrate a model's effectiveness at everything from math and logical reasoning to vision and weather forecasting.
—Ars Technica, 3 Feb. 2025
However flawed the results, Carter believes this episode highlights a moment of pivotal change in the history of science.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for flaw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw
Noun
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As you were informed, the size of the defect after surgery may necessitate additional removal of the healthy eye to close the area properly.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
16 Feb. 2025
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Indeed, the battery defect is a major culprit in depressing the value of 2019 I-Paces.—
Eric Bangeman,
Ars Technica,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The freeze on foreign aid, for example, is already damaging the network of groups the federal government relies on to deliver overseas assistance, according to Scott R. Anderson, a former U.S. diplomat and government attorney now at the Brookings Institution.—
Josh Meyer,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
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Sudden weather shifts have become more frequent, and winter freeze-and-thaw cycles can damage plants as much as bitter cold.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The geckos have a mixture of dark brown blotches on a pale gray-brown background.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
3 Feb. 2025
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The blotch of black fur around Bao Li's eyes is wider, with pointy tips that flare out more than Qing Bao's.—
Christopher Cann,
USA TODAY,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Passes for the shows in the U.K. and Ireland went on sale in August 2024, but the on-sale process was marred by long delays and the use of dynamic pricing model, which meant that ticket prices were higher for some fans than expected.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
10 Feb. 2025
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Apart from losing the popular ballot by about three million votes, Trump’s victory was marred by comical levels of scandal.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Most of it came from an intense line of storms that plowed through the city in the late afternoon, triggering flash flood warnings in the city and its burn scars, including the Eaton and Palisades fire zones.—
Hanna Park and Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
14 Feb. 2025
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On an afternoon when the National Weather Service issued Flash Flood Warnings for Malibu, Topanga State Park and Pacific Palisades, an NBC News crew documented the unfortunate result of several inches of intense rain near the Palisades Fire scar.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The mayor’s attempts at working his way into Trump’s circle have drawn concerns that he’s compromised as a leader.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
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The danger from attackers looking to compromise your Gmail account has never been greater.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The pilot and co-pilot were killed, the São Paulo state military police told Newsweek, and two people on the street where the aircraft crashed were injured.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
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Matthew Renne arrived home March 15, following nearly two months in a hospital after he was injured in an early morning Taliban attack Jan. 18.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Thesaurus Entries Near flaw
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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