BLIGHT Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

blight 1 of 2

noun

ˈblīt

Definition of blight

as in defect

something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing the expanding urban sprawl is a blight on the countryside

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blight

2 of 2

verb

as in to damage

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of blight

Noun

The Apple Hill Growers collaborative got its start with 16 member farms in 1964, after a blight wiped out what had been a thriving pear-growing region. — Janet Fullwood, Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2026 The evidence suggests that digital lending as currently practiced is one more blight for the book industry, yes. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

Meanwhile, two- to four-unit rental buildings that made up the preponderance of affordable housing for families in these areas have been lost to blight and disinvestment. — Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 The euphoria of scoring three goals in each half was somewhat blighted by the horrific injury to Koné. — Mark Hodge, NBC news, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for blight

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blight

Noun

An engine recall because of a manufacturing defect has backed up repair shops and grounded hundreds of Airbus planes around the world.

— Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
The result showed up later as defects, rework, missed set dates and chargebacks.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of defect

Verb

Rioters burned close to 6,000 vehicles and damaged over 1,000 buildings.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
What that young girl saw damaged and scarred her heart; one wonders why the happy adults around her could not see the ugliness inherent in killing a fellow human being.

— Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of damage

Noun

Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark facial bands and gray or tan body patterned with black or brown blotches.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of blotch

Verb

Burdick seemed to have drawn directly from McCarthy’s experience, the hopelessness of fighting with his father over a world his father had already ruined, the surrender to indulgence and mindless violence because…why not?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Each room is also outfitted with a Yale smart lock, which means there’s no room for that horrible feeling of losing a room key to ruin your vacation.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruin

Noun

Like other firs, the needlelike leaves of the oyamel fir grow directly from the branch, and the needles’ bases, which are shaped like suction cups, leave conspicuous circular scars when the leaves fall.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Severe or repeated infections may leave scars that can permanently reduce kidney function.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of scar

Verb

Supreme Court justices will now consider whether a group claiming to be targeted by a race-neutral policy must show it was disproportionately harmed to prove intentional discrimination.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Among Americans who believe AI harms society, roughly half use AI chatbots at least weekly.

— Will Johnson, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of harm

Noun

Simmons said investigators found clothing passengers had shed to cool off and claw marks on the trailer's walls.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
The responding Oak Bluffs police officers saw bruises on her legs and a red mark on her neck, Scalice said.

— Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of mark

Verb

Griffin suggested the plan to reindustrialize the nation to restore the American dream was flawed from the outset.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
In our view, it was rushed and flawed, without an adequate evaluation framework to judge proposals fairly or fully measure their value to tourism.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of flaw

Browse Nearby Words

blew up

blight

blighted

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Blight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blight. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of blight

noun

verb

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