blemish

[ blem-ish ]

verb (used with object)

1. to destroy or diminish the perfection of:

   The book is blemished by those long, ineffective descriptions.

   Synonyms: deface, impair, damage, mar, injure, taint, tarnish, spot, sully, stain

   Antonyms: repair, purify

noun

1. a mark that detracts from appearance, as a pimple or a scar.
2. a defect or flaw; stain; blight:

   a blemish on his record.

   Synonyms: taint, speck, spot, blot

blemish

/ ˈblɛmɪʃ /

noun

1. a defect; flaw; stain

verb

1. tr to flaw the perfection of; spoil; tarnish

Other Words From

• blemish·er noun
• un·blemished adjective
• un·blemish·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of blemish¹

1275–1325; Middle English (v.) < Anglo-French, Middle French blemiss-, long stem of ble ( s ) mir to make livid, perhaps < Old Low Franconian *blesmjan; blaze ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of blemish¹

C14: from Old French blemir to make pale, probably of Germanic origin

Synonym Study

See defect.

Example Sentences

On Saturday though, the blemishes were obvious and plentiful - and this autumn they seem to be setting in, rather than shifting.

From BBC

Then, a general dermatologist performed a physical exam using the visual appearance of the blemishes and a dermatoscope to make a diagnosis, and if needed, performed a biopsy.

From Science Daily

Here’s betting the Bills put a first blemish on that gaudy KC record.

From Los Angeles Times

But the history is checkered and the beauty is blemished.

From Los Angeles Times

Martha Stewart doesn't do warts, but Cutler edits a wry irony into the artful coverage she dabs on her blemishes, like her refusal to count her marital infidelity as equivalent to that of her husband.

From Salon

Related Words

• blot
• blotch
• bruise
• discoloration
• freckle
• imperfection
• pimple
• scar
• smudge
• snag
• stain
• stigma
• wart