as in defective
having a fault
an imperfect representation of the circumstances surrounding Paul Revere's famous ride
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Recent Examples of imperfect
None of it looks pristine, like some nouveau tailoring house where everything is just so, but lived in and imperfect.
—
Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026
By focusing on how simple organisms solve complex problems, the researchers have opened up a new path for designing autonomous systems that can function under imperfect conditions.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
Devers and Eldridge are an imperfect duo, a pair of left-handed hitting sluggers with minimal defensive versatility.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Friday’s game included controversial penalty decisions, own goals, red cards and some thrilling — albeit imperfect — attempts at counter-attacking.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imperfect
Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026
By focusing on how simple organisms solve complex problems, the researchers have opened up a new path for designing autonomous systems that can function under imperfect conditions.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
Devers and Eldridge are an imperfect duo, a pair of left-handed hitting sluggers with minimal defensive versatility.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Friday’s game included controversial penalty decisions, own goals, red cards and some thrilling — albeit imperfect — attempts at counter-attacking.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imperfect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperfect
Adjective
-
And a cohort of American consumers, siding with the plaintiff, determined that the platforms are defective products, distributed to the public without proper safeguards or warnings about their potential harms.—
Maggie Harrison Dupré,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
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Her lawyers argued that the apps should be seen as defective products that contributed to Kaley's mental health struggles.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Bernadine appeared to be useless—or, worse, a potential double agent.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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This is very bad for our health.—
Peter D'Oench,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While the YouGov survey was flawed, some British churches are seeing interest increase.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
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Unlike their flawed first album, Queen’s second effort was nearly perfect to begin with.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imperfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperfect. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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