imperfect

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpər-fikt How to pronounce imperfect (audio)
Definition of imperfectnext
as in defective
having a fault an imperfect representation of the circumstances surrounding Paul Revere's famous ride

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 imperfect For a condition that doctors currently have to assess largely through what patients report hearing, however, even an imperfect biological signal could prove valuable. — Mike McRae 07, New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2026 That makes Stratego an imperfect-information game, just like poker, which computers cracked years ago. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026 His campaign committee was formed before Aquino’s current campaign committee, making the candidates’ cumulative totals an imperfect comparison. — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Dorm decorating includes valuable tasks for college kids, including identifying their needs, planning, budgeting, and coming to terms with imperfect choices. — Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for imperfect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperfect
  1. defective
  2. bad
  3. flawed
Adjective
  • Recent court cases have used similar arguments, framing social media to judges and jurors as defective products causing children harm.
    — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Trump’s successors will need to salvage his defective effort to help guide this transition.
    — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of defective
Adjective
  • Bajaria may also have hit thin ice with Sarandos after the streamer won just 16 Primetime Emmy Awards this year — its worst showing since 2016 and down from 30 in 2025.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The size of the boat, the distance from the tow boat's berth and how bad the boat is stuck will all factor into the final invoice.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • The extra baggage negates the weightlessness, revealing a more flawed and earthbound iteration of the band.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • But rather than hail this trend as proof of AI’s skyrocketing potential, many in the field — skeptics and boosters alike — take it as evidence that benchmarking itself has become fatally flawed.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of flawed

Browse Nearby Words

impercipient
imperfect
imperfection
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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