blight 1 of 2

noun

ˈblīt How to pronounce blight (audio)
Definition of blightnext
as in defect
something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing the expanding urban sprawl is a blight on the countryside

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blight

2 of 2

verb

as in to damage

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 blight
Noun
Harris said because of the downtown blight, the city wants to get into the habit of maintaining and beautifying its important corridor. — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 Other times, diseases like blight – which is particularly common during spells of cool, damp weather – can destroy peony blooms. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 31 July 2026
Verb
Meanwhile, two- to four-unit rental buildings that made up the preponderance of affordable housing for families in these areas have been lost to blight and disinvestment. — Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 The euphoria of scoring three goals in each half was somewhat blighted by the horrific injury to Koné. — Mark Hodge, NBC news, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for blight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blight
  1. defect
  2. damage
  3. blotch
  4. ruin
  5. scar
  6. harm
  7. mark
  8. flaw
Noun
  • The leaves might still be green, and the branches still there, but a huge structural defect may be hidden to property owners who don’t know what to look for.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Even though Vaughn's initial plea was not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, and a mental status exam was ordered, no pretrial tests were done.
    — Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of defect
Verb
  • Maiquetía International airport, outside Caracas, was damaged from twin earthquakes on June 24 that devastated the country.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The flooding inundated areas along the Trishuli River, burying some buildings and damaging bridges and roadways.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of damage
Noun
  • Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The next morning, a galaxy of itchy red bumps and blotches stretched from my shoulder to my hip.
    — Ben Crair, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
Definition of blotch
Verb
  • The fight between a small Georgia community and tech giant Meta has escalated this week after four families filed a lawsuit against the company alleging a central Georgia data center project has contaminated their water and ruined their home values.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Gen, forgetting her swollen wrist, perks up at the thought of having a new person to ruin sheets with.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of ruin
Noun
  • Burn scars on the landscape from previous wildfires can also rapidly funnel water into dangerous downslope torrents.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Without vegetation, a barren burn scar allows runoff to flow more quickly.
    — Jamie Stengle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of scar
Verb
  • Roberts disagreed with the majority of his colleagues about whether the National Trust for Historic Preservation – which objects to the design of the ballroom – can meet the legal standard for showing it would be sufficiently harmed by the project.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • An escalating tit-for-tat tariff battle with Canada could harm businesses and consumers in northern border states.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of harm
Noun
  • Troy Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current broadcaster Troy Aikman continues to leave a mark on the game in the booth.
    — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The standards also mandate a QR-code mark, so anyone can check the certification's details.
    — Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of mark
Verb
  • On the other hand, critics are, well, criticizing the decision, calling the process rushed and flawed.
    — Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • This latest issue adds to a growing list of irregularities, including inaccurate online estimates, missing plan options, and flawed spousal loan calculations.
    — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of flaw

Browse Nearby Words

blew up
blight
blighted
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Cite this Entry

“Blight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blight. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on blight

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blight

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