FLAW Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

flaw 1 of 2

noun

ˈflȯ

Definition of flaw

as in defect

something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing noted the flaw in the diamond before I bought it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flaw

2 of 2

verb

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

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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 flaw

Noun

Season one struggled to incorporate all of those elements of Lee without either forgiving or betraying his flaws. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026 The order created a cybersecurity clearinghouse inside the US Treasury Department to review security flaws that AI systems are supposed to self-discover in a secure sandbox. — John Caruso, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026

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 See All Example Sentences for flaw

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaw

Noun

Where American makers saw a defect, the Japanese saw the main feature of the product.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Even a slight misalignment could leave visible defects where colors meet, while four hotends introduce more components that could potentially fail.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of defect

Verb

Miles said one of his friends made the decision to drop his early decision application to Cornell, not because of the incident itself, but for fear the school’s reputation would be damaged.

— Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Insurance payouts for mortgaged homes damaged or destroyed by fires are typically not sent directly to homeowners but instead are held by lenders or servicers, who then disburse the funds in tranches as a home is rebuilt or repaired.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of damage

Noun

Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark facial bands and gray or tan body patterned with black or brown blotches.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of blotch

Verb

Mass protests in France are often marred by violence on the fringes of otherwise peaceful marches, leading to clashes with police.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
There were also parts that were not as successful — mainly the parts marred by his physical unreadiness.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of mar

Noun

Firefighters began to gain the upper hand on the fire throughout Saturday afternoon, keeping the flames within the burn scar and building containment lines around the fire.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
This is a city full of glittering theater marquees and mint midcentury signage, and ringed with rail yards and the scars of an industrial center remade for human scale.

— Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of scar

Verb

The department also argues that threatening officers with prosecution for protecting their identities and their families chills enforcement of federal law and compromises sensitive operations.

— Eric Henderson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Separating system testing from intelligence testing can eliminate unnecessary consumption without compromising engineering rigor.

— Pritam Debnath, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of compromise

Verb

At least one person died and more than a dozen were injured in a major Ukrainian drone strike yesterday on Saint Petersburg, Russia's former imperial capital.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026
Continue reading … NATION IN MOURNING — Canadian service members killed, 19 critically injured after fire rips through base.

— , FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of injure

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flavorsome

flaw

flawed

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“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaw. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of flaw

noun

verb

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