defectiveness

noun

Definition of defectivenessnext
as in impairment

Related Words

Relevance

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 defectiveness This worry about defectiveness can lead to a panicked call for literature’s redemption. — Aaron Matz, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defectiveness
  1. impairment
  2. disability
  3. failing
  4. weakness
  5. detriment
  6. fault
Noun
  • On 28 July, Moody’s changed its MENA outlook from stable to negative, noting that the impairment of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will weigh on the growth of Gulf sovereigns, as well as their fiscal and external positions.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Garcia faces charges of terroristic threat causing impairment of public service/ placing a public servant in fear of serious bodily injury, according to Fort Worth jail records.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of impairment
Noun
  • According to the California Department of Rehabilitation, encouraging independent living among people with disabilities is a philosophy that emphasizes their agency and empowers them to take charge of their care.
    — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Among the items on the chopping block are requirements to conduct screenings for kids with disabilities, keep class sizes small, help children brush their teeth daily and mandate monitors on school buses.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of disability
Noun
  • Throughout the trial the defense probed what the attorneys described as failings in the thoroughness of the Arlington Police Department’s investigation of the case, particularly the lack of complete photo documentation.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Nosiness is treated as a social failing rather than a cognitive trait.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of failing
Noun
  • And Japan’s use of the Fed’s Foreign and International Monetary Authorities Repo Facility is actually a sign of dollar strength rather than weakness.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Evidence points to much of the monthly weakness being related to the end of major events, including the World Cup and America 250.
    — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • Maddox argues that all of the platforms fall short in this area, which is a detriment to community building, career-building, conversations, and other positive aspects of the internet.
    — Moises Mendez II, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The prompt is inspired by the recent Latinx newsletter by Carlos De Loera, which cites a Pew Research Center study that found that one-third of Latinos surveyed said their ethnicity has been a detriment to their lives.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of detriment
Noun
  • Of the defendants, Cesar Morales was apportioned 60% of the fault, Arnold Morales 20% of the fault, Alvarez 5% of the fault and Harrison 15% of the fault.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • And yet, there’s a halo of chaos that surrounds Rhaenyra — an electric current of turmoil that’s too constant not to be her fault.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of fault

Browse Nearby Words

defectively
defectiveness
defector
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Defectiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defectiveness. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vacuous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All