defective

adjective

di-ˈfek-tiv How to pronounce defective (audio)
Definition of defectivenext
as in imperfect
having a fault promptly took the defective microwave oven back to the store for a replacement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 defective But returning Sara to the manufacturer proves complicated, especially so for a lascivious Ultima technician (Oliver Cooper) sent to collect the defective model. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026 Benjamin Gibson, an attorney representing the state, said the onus was on the plaintiffs to prove the ballot summary was defective. — Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 Hundreds of defective bells from 12 European countries have been restored at the Grassmayr bell foundry, according to the company. — Philipp Jenne, Fortune, 30 July 2026 Sherrill faulted the software vendor responsible for the defective system, the MVC for taking roughly a year to resolve the problem, and the previous administration for failing to disclose the error once it had been identified publicly. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for defective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defective
  1. imperfect
  2. bad
  3. flawed
  4. faulty
  5. damaged
  6. broken
Adjective
  • Abrams is a player who is both imperfect and essential to a team that has far exceeded its gloomy preseason projections.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The anticapitalist utopia in The Dispossessed is imperfect, but the book is mind-expanding, opening up new ways to think about what’s possible.
    — Carline Tromp, The Dial, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of imperfect
Adjective
  • Neighbors said the rotten-egg smell has gotten worse over the last couple of weeks, even trailing to apartments across the street.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • For Panama, the result is a wet season that’s already been drier than usual and is likely to get worse.
    — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • The senior colleague was ultimately cleared of wrongdoing, but Leo claimed that the investigation was flawed because of its focus on his mental illness.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Summary The sight of empty offices on pleasant days is prompting a re-evaluation of commercial real estate, but experts argue occupancy is a flawed metric for office value.
    — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of flawed
Adjective
  • Lawsuits, including ones filed by both counties and the Placer County Water Agency, alleged that faulty PG&E equipment caused the fire.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Recalls over faulty backup cameras have similarly soared since the US mandated the safety systems eight years ago.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of faulty
Adjective
  • Many residents continued to sleep outside rather than risk returning to damaged homes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • President Abelardo de la Espriella, who had been in office for only three days when the earthquake struck, announced a reconstruction fund for damaged homes, hospitals, schools and infrastructure.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of damaged
Adjective
  • An image from a National Transportation Safety Board report into an incident in which a passenger was nearly sucked out of a broken window of Ryanair Flight 1879 on July 10, 2026, just after takeoff from Thessaloniki, Greece.
    — Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Staff in the South Stand offices would spend the winter months wearing jackets due to a broken boiler and, according to Bruce, only the players quickest to the dressing-room showers could expect to enjoy hot water after games.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of broken

Browse Nearby Words

defections
defective
defectively
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Cite this Entry

“Defective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defective. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on defective

Nglish: Translation of defective for Spanish Speakers

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