as in imperfect
having a fault
promptly took the defective microwave oven back to the store for a replacement
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defective
Despite knowing the product was defective and replicating customers’ explosions in tests, Sunbeam and its parent company, Newell, told the Consumer Product Safety Commission that the product didn’t need to be recalled and that user error was causing the issue.
—
Sponsored Content, The Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2025
If either the hypothalamus or pituitary gland is damaged or defective, estrogen and testosterone levels will drop.
—James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
The toddlers were treated using gene therapy, through which patients are given a harmless virus containing healthy versions of a defective gene in order to remedy the problem.
—David Prosser, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Put side by side with the Chrome extension, MacKeeper’s Safari extension looks defective.
—PCMAG, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defective
Sponsored Content, The Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2025
If either the hypothalamus or pituitary gland is damaged or defective, estrogen and testosterone levels will drop.
—James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
The toddlers were treated using gene therapy, through which patients are given a harmless virus containing healthy versions of a defective gene in order to remedy the problem.
—David Prosser, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Put side by side with the Chrome extension, MacKeeper’s Safari extension looks defective.
—PCMAG, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defective
Adjective
-
These imperfect yet perfect friends embark on an enchanting journey filled with artistry.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Although the tournament was imperfect and exposed a few issues that need to be addressed before the 2026 World Cup (more on that later), the harsh criticism from naysayers proved exaggerated and unwarranted.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
The alternative — keeping him around, highly paid and not played — would have been worse.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
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So the point is, if things feel especially bad, this is why.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Not because those traits are flawed, but because they’re pointed in the wrong direction.—
Nell Derick Debevoise,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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Critics says the study RFK Jr. cited as evidence is flawed.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Hospital administrators failed to repair a faulty water heater, resulting in a lack of hot water needed to sterilize instruments and for surgery staff to wash their hands.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
17 July 2025
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Look out for signs of faulty wiring, such as flickering lights or discolored outlets, and be sure to read the warning labels and care instructions for your appliances and devices before using them.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
As with old wood blooming hydrangeas, remove broken or spindly limbs at the main stem.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
19 July 2025
-
Return Strong said the prison offered months of delay for one individual with a broken wrist and finger, limited mental health care, mold covering the shower walls, restricted visitation, took away access to fruit and stuck prisoners with years of solitary confinement.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defective. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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