blemish

[blem-ish]

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

/ ˈblɛmɪʃ /

noun

1. a defect; flaw; stain

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• blemisher noun
• unblemished adjective
• unblemishing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of blemish¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of blemish¹

C14: from Old French blemir to make pale, probably of Germanic origin

Synonym Study

See defect.

Example Sentences

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

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There were some blemishes on an otherwise solid print.

Read more on Barron's

But the record of 85-year-old Mutharika has its own blemishes, from corruption allegations to the debacle that ended his first presidency.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• blot 
• blotch 
• bruise 
• discoloration 
• freckle 
• imperfection 
• pimple 
• scar 
• smudge 
• snag 
• stain 
• stigma 
• wart