as in defect
something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing
the first mirror had a blemish on its surface, so we took it back to the store
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to mar
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
a single indiscretion blemished the rabbi's reputation for years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to damage
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
a scratch blemished the finish on the car
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blemish
Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
The Cougars are back for another run after winning 26 of their last 27 games, the only blemish in that stretch an overtime loss to Texas Tech, which is a No. 3 seed in the West.
—Jack Magruder, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
That huge carbon footprint blemishes the reputations of global tech firms such as Google and Apple, which are pressuring suppliers to set high bars for their own environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for blemish
Noun
The president’s process of souring on subordinates is often a slow burn, which can be affected by media coverage and where blemishes gather their own momentum and limit the shelf life of top aides.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
The Cougars are back for another run after winning 26 of their last 27 games, the only blemish in that stretch an overtime loss to Texas Tech, which is a No. 3 seed in the West.
—Jack Magruder, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
Denver looked set to blemish the Chiefs’ undefeated campaign, until Wil Lutz’s 35-yarder was stuffed at the line.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
That huge carbon footprint blemishes the reputations of global tech firms such as Google and Apple, which are pressuring suppliers to set high bars for their own environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for blemish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blemish
Noun
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With the help of this technology, defects were significantly reduced.—
Michael Amori,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Doctors later discovered that Figari’s stroke was caused by a previously undetected congenital heart defect called a patent foramen ovale (PFO), in which a hole between the left and right chambers of the heart is left open as opposed to closing after birth, according to Penn Medicine.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The dashboard was part of an extended pressure campaign from Buttigieg, who, during his tenure in the Biden administration, publicly challenged the major carriers to improve service and transparency—particularly after a summer marred by cancellations and flight delays.—
Bailey Berg,
AFAR Media,
8 Apr. 2025
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Indeed, Delaney’s personal life has been marred by what appears to be a pretty entrenched drinking problem, which has affected her career and led to very un-Diane Russell-like brushes with the law, the Daily Mail and other outlets have reported.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Their son and daughter-in-law, Cameron Bott, 35, and his wife, Diana, 36, whose nearby home was damaged in the tornado, initiated a discussion about starting a GoFundMe to offset potential insurance shortfalls in rebuilding the gas station.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
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There was a fire in 2023 that damaged part of the nightclub, authorities said.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But this season, the one with the 4-15-0 blotch on the calendar from late November to early January, there’s no way to feel OK about Sunday.—
Arthur Staple,
The Athletic,
17 Mar. 2025
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The fish have white faces with a black blotch in front of the eyes, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Apologies to the late John Lennon, but that song has been tainted for many. Need a break?—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
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The river is tainted with harmful toxins from industrial waste, trash and untreated sewage.—
Kimberly Dickson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Three people died in Independence County, Arkansas, according to the state division of emergency management and 32 people were injured across eight counties.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA TODAY,
16 Mar. 2025
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At least 59 people have died and more than 100 others were injured in a fire at a nightclub.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Countless Black women, like Justice, live with the long-term mental and physical scars of pregnancy and birth.—
Essence,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
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The 44-year-old actress and breast cancer survivor opened up about her scars being visible during intimate scenes, while promoting their new Apple TV+ drama series Your Friends and Neighbors.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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If Bonhoeffer’s example is used to justify more far-right Christian violence in America, that would be another tragedy — and a cruel irony that would stain the legacy of a man who gave up everything to confront a tyrant.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
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Pérez's manager, Enrique Paulino, spoke to reporters at the scene, his shirt stained with blood.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blemish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blemish. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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