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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.

Traditional product liability demands a defect in the product or its labeling.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Becerra proposes to require cities and counties to approve or deny building permits within 90 days, loosening certain regulations for infill projects and reforming construction defect laws to encourage more construction of entry-level condos.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

In most industries, a 66% defect rate would trigger an immediate focus on process improvement.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

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

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

The black man, a family friend, probably thought he was doing me a favor by pointing out that I had a speech defect.

From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers

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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