blight 1 of 2

noun

ˈblīt How to pronounce blight (audio)
Definition of blightnext
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

Related Words

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 blight of slavery, an evil that had endured on American soil for nearly 250 years, was finally extinguished. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 June 2026 While many saw blight at the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Holbrook Street, a local artist saw opportunity. — Ryan Steven Green, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Verb
Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland, the UK’s largest freshwater lake, has also been blighted by blue-green algae for years. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 18 June 2026 Young people are graduating into an increasingly competitive job market and are struggling to secure roles as AI blights the job of entry-level workers. — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for blight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blight
  1. defect
  2. damage
  3. blotch
  4. ruin
  5. scar
  6. harm
  7. mark
  8. flaw
Noun
  • Creating a quantum sensor out of a defect One of the biggest challenges in industrial energy management is visibility.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026
  • The lawsuit said this defect helped cause Avila's death and the harm the family suffered.
    — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of defect
Verb
  • Some of these storms could be severe and deliver damaging wind gusts, but any thunderstorm will contain lightning — a major danger for any outdoor activities, especially for anyone trying to escape the heat in or on the water.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Diseases that damage the kidneys and impair their ability to filter blood were blamed for 55,081 deaths in 2024.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of damage
Noun
  • Verticillium wilt causes similar blotches and yellowing.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
  • Pine snakes can grow up to 56 inches in length, have black, brown, and russet scales with dark blotches along their backs, and are noted for having a pointed nose, which experts believe may help with burrowing.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Definition of blotch
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • After all, plenty of cocktail enthusiasts already complain about mosquitoes ruining a summer evening.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of ruin
Noun
  • Although Chicago had its issues with redlining and massive disinvestment that left generational scars on some primarily Black neighborhoods, the small town ethos held little sway over me.
    — Dawn M. Turner, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Adding these impacts to the early Earth’s heat budget, though, proved rather challenging because Earth has a peculiar way of healing its scars.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 5 July 2026
Definition of scar
Verb
  • At the time of its passing, state officials had expressed concerns about how students’ wellbeing could be harmed because of excessive phone use or cause distractions in their learning.
    — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • The union representing state attorneys had requested an injunction against Newsom’s order, relying on the state’s signature environmental law to argue that the telework policy change would harm California’s environment.
    — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of harm
Noun
  • The Mega Millions jackpot blew past the half-billion-dollar mark ahead of the Tuesday, June 30, drawing, reaching $511 million with a cash value of $231 million.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • The roughly 30-minute experience marks Night School’s first major horror title under Netflix following the studio’s 2021 acquisition and projects including Oxenfree II and the Black Mirror tie-in Thronglets.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 June 2026
Definition of mark
Verb
  • All of that seems reasonable, even when accounting for the drastic paycut, family distance and flawed rosters.
    — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • This analysis made several assumptions, some of which were flawed (though entirely reasonably).
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Definition of flaw

Browse Nearby Words

blew up
blight
blighted
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Cite this Entry

“Blight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blight. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on blight

Nglish: Translation of blight for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blight

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