1
a
: a defect in physical structure or form
a diamond with a flaw
b
: an imperfection or weakness and especially one that detracts from the whole or hinders effectiveness
vanity was the flaw in his character
a flaw in the book's plot
2
obsolete
: fragment
flawed; flawing; flaws
: to become defective
1
: a sudden brief burst of wind
the wind changed with flaws from westward—
Archibald MacLeish
Archibald MacLeish
also
: a spell of stormy weather
2
obsolete
: an outburst especially of passion
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- blemish
- blight
- blotch
- defect
- deformity
- disfigurement
- excrescence
- excrescency
- fault
- imperfection
- mar
- mark
- pockmark
- scar
Verb
Examples of flaw in a Sentence
Noun (1)
noted the flaw in the diamond before I bought it
Verb
that crack has flawed the vase to the extent that its value in the antiques market is greatly reduced
Recent Examples on the WebPrarthana Prakash, Fortune, 26 June 2024
The intent of these review boards was admirable, but the practical design was flawed.
—Dennis Warren, Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2024
Palantir said the Labor Department’s analysis was flawed.
—Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 6 May 2024
Reuters' report comes shortly after Google admitted its AI Overviews summarizing the Internet were flawed by design after people quickly found the tool spouted inaccurate, misleading, and dangerous answers.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 5 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for flaw 
Verb
The board also delved into why the decision to deliberately vent and burn the vinyl chloride was flawed.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 26 June 2024
The intent of these review boards was admirable, but the practical design was flawed.
—Dennis Warren, Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2024
Palantir said the Labor Department’s analysis was flawed.
—Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 6 May 2024
Reuters' report comes shortly after Google admitted its AI Overviews summarizing the Internet were flawed by design after people quickly found the tool spouted inaccurate, misleading, and dangerous answers.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 5 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for flaw
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flaw.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near flaw
Cite this Entry
“Flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flaw. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flaw
1 of 2 noun
: a small often hidden defect
flawless
adjective
-ləs
flawlessly
adverb
flawlessness
noun
flaw
2 of 2 verb
: to make or become defective
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