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Synonyms

blemish

American  
[blem-ish] / ˈblɛm ɪʃ /

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 British  
/ ˈblɛmɪʃ /

noun

  1. a defect; flaw; stain

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See defect.

Other Word Forms

  • blemisher noun
  • unblemished adjective
  • unblemishing adjective

Etymology

Origin of blemish

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

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.

The former white-collar fighter - with no amateur pedigree - has stopped 19 opponents in 20 wins, with the sole blemish a thrilling draw with Clarke in March 2024.

From BBC

“This whole incident has been a fiasco and a blemish on our country. He needs to be fired,” he added.

From The Wall Street Journal

The only blemish on Tuchel's otherwise flawless record so far is the 3-1 home defeat by Senegal in a June friendly.

From BBC

Some may question what the value is in looking at history through such a fine lens that it reveals its subjects’ blemishes.

From Los Angeles Times

The lukewarm reception for the Air is the only blemish on what is shaping up to be a blowout holiday quarter for Apple, thanks to more popular iPhone 17 models.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.