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

You may treat regular blemishes such as blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples with over-the-counter products.

From Popular-Science

All of a sudden, their roster has tilted more toward enhancing Young’s prodigious strengths than covering his clear blemishes.

From FiveThirtyEight

The only blemishes for the Packers were a missed extra point by kicker Mason Crosby and a knee injury suffered by center Corey Linsley.

From Washington Post

He had his blemishes, taking three sacks and fumbling after a long run that could have put the game away.

From Washington Post

What’s more, small blemishes or defects in perovskite films do not lead to significant power losses.

From Singularity Hub 

But if, as Republicans predict, it collapses completely, it will stand as a huge mistake and major blemish on his presidency.

From The Daily Beast

He blamed the abortion and the late night for this blemish on his otherwise almost perfect 1974 season.

From The Daily Beast

But it is necessary and sobering to recall that his presumptive partners for peace are hardly without blemish.

From The Daily Beast

And on the day of the new moon a calf of the herd without blemish: and the six lambs, and the rams shall be without blemish.

From Project Gutenberg

And he chose priests without blemish, whose will was set upon the law of God.

From Project Gutenberg

Sore smote was Halldor, a deep wound gat he in the countenance, and to him was it a blemish all the days of his life.

From Project Gutenberg

With respect to moral delinquency, the only blemish in the character of Festus is a certain inconstancy in love.

From Project Gutenberg

Three things that constitute a physician: a complete cure; leaving no blemish behind; a painless examination.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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