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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of defective
The first trial in one of the largest U.S. mass torts ever kicks off Monday with 3M defending itself against claims that its Combat Arms earplugs were knowingly defective, harming the hearing of tens of thousands of soldiers.
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Mike Hughlett, Star Tribune, 28 Mar. 2021
The hope is that this approach will provide new olfactory receptor neurons for people whose own have been permanently damaged or defective since birth.
—Emma Young, Discover Magazine, 3 Aug. 2015
Overheated or defective batteries can catch fire or even explode, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2023
Those factories could provide the recyclers with a great deal of defective or excess battery material, particularly in their early years.
—Kellen Browning, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for defective 
Mike Hughlett, Star Tribune, 28 Mar. 2021
The hope is that this approach will provide new olfactory receptor neurons for people whose own have been permanently damaged or defective since birth.
—Emma Young, Discover Magazine, 3 Aug. 2015
Overheated or defective batteries can catch fire or even explode, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2023
Those factories could provide the recyclers with a great deal of defective or excess battery material, particularly in their early years.
—Kellen Browning, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for defective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defective
Adjective
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Just look at the tech sector: The vast majority of the world’s leading tech companies are based in the U.S., benefitting from robust early- and late-stage financing, an unmatched talent pool and a regulatory environment that—while imperfect—allows businesses to grow and thrive.Frank Holmes, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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Algorithmic tools are aiming to address a real issue with imperfect human decision-making.Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Zach Wilson’s younger brother settled in as the game progressed, but then threw a bad INT in the fourth to end Utah’s comeback attempt.Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
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Wahl began the news conference by saying that the situation could have been much worse.NBC San Diego, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The exchange touches on an ongoing debate regarding the playoff format that Hamlin argues is flawed.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
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However, an investigation by the Associated Press found that the film was based on flawed and improper analysis of cell phone location data.Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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If the assumptions are faulty, so are everything from policies to preparedness, which can have severe outcomes.Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
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The contraptions that the eccentric Wallace crafted were always faulty, Rube Goldberg-like solutions to simple or nonexistent problems.Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Without breaking stride, Hunter blew past four more Utah defenders and hopped into the end zone, a broken play transformed into a work of art.Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
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De Menezes was on his way to repair a broken fire alarm when he was shot and killed in an underground carriage at Stockwell station.Irenie Forshaw, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near defective
Cite this Entry
“Defective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defective. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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