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Definitions

defect

[dee-fekt, dih-fekt, dih-fekt] / ˈdi fɛkt, dɪˈfɛkt, dɪˈfɛkt /
NOUN
blemish, imperfection
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bug crack deficiency deformity error fault flaw glitch injury irregularity lack mistake shortage shortcoming weakness
STRONG
birthmark blot blotch break catch check discoloration drawback failing foible frailty gap gremlin hole infirmity kink knot mark marring patch rift scar scarcity scratch seam second sin speck spot stain taint unsoundness vice want
WEAK
rough spot weak point
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abundance accuracy advantage benefit blessing certainty correction correctness enough good perfection plenty right strength strong point success sufficiency truth
STRONG
blank boon clarity cleanliness closure line
WEAK
improvement
VERB
break from belief, faith
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abandon abscond depart desert pull out quit reject renounce revolt withdraw
STRONG
apostatize forsake go lapse leave rat rebel renege schism spurn tergiversate turn
WEAK
back out break faith change sides fall away from go back on go over go over the fence run out sell out take a walk tergiverse turn coat walk out on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
allow approve come continue persevere remain stay support
WEAK
come in join

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Iranian authorities however alleged that Australia sought to force the athletes to defect.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

While it's not unusual for legislators to occasionally defect in Canadian politics, the recent rate of party-switching was "extraordinary", said Semra Sevi, who teaches political science at the University of Toronto.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Further experiments with collaborators in Copenhagen showed that the PAM defect does not affect how GLP-1 binds to its receptor or how signals are transmitted.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

Nicholas Brendon, best known for portraying the loyal, wisecracking Xander Harris in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” died Friday from natural causes after dealing with a congenital heart defect and other health issues in recent years.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

Her husband dead, three children sold, the fourth defective, and her having to thank God for the defect.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler

Vocabulary lists containing defect

Tuesdays with Morrie

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The Glass Menagerie

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Thomas Jefferson's First Inaugural Address (1801)

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