Blemished: meaning, definitions and examples

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blemished

 

[ ˈblɛmɪʃt ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

appearance

Spoiled or damaged, especially in a small way.

Synonyms

damaged, flawed, imperfect.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
blemished

Use this word when referring to minor surface imperfections, especially on skin, fruit, or other smooth surfaces.

  • She felt self-conscious about her blemished skin
  • The apple looked tasty despite being slightly blemished
imperfect

Use this word to describe something that falls short of perfection but may still function adequately, often used in a more general sense.

  • The document was imperfect but understandable
  • She accepted her work was imperfect but still valuable
flawed

Flawed indicates imperfections, often in character, plans, or products. It implies more significant issues and can be used for abstract concepts.

  • The plan was fundamentally flawed
  • He admitted he was a flawed person
damaged

This word often refers to more serious harm or injury, impacting functionality or value. It's used for objects, relationships, and occasionally, emotional states.

  • The car was damaged in the accident
  • Their friendship was damaged beyond repair

Examples of usage

  • The mirror had a blemished surface.
  • Her otherwise perfect record was blemished by one mistake.
  • The blemished fruit was sold at a discounted price.
Context #2 | Verb

action

To spoil or damage (the surface or appearance of something).

Synonyms

damage, ruin, spoil.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
blemished

Used when referring to something that has small imperfections or defects, usually on a surface or appearance.

  • The fruit was blemished with small dark spots
  • The mirror looked blemished after years of use
spoil

Generally used to describe something that has gone bad, often in reference to food or plans, implying it is no longer enjoyable or usable.

  • The milk was spoiled after being left out overnight
  • His surprise party was spoiled when someone accidentally told him about it
ruin

Implies complete destruction or significant impairment, indicating that something is beyond repair or entirely unfit for its original purpose.

  • The rain ruined our picnic plans
  • Her career was ruined by the scandal

Examples of usage

  • Accidentally blemished the new table with a scratch.
  • The reputation of the company was blemished by the scandal.

Translations

Translations of the word "blemished" in other languages:

🇵🇹 manchado

🇮🇳 दागदार

🇩🇪 befleckt

🇮🇩 bernodah

🇺🇦 заплямований

🇵🇱 splamiony

🇯🇵 汚れた

🇫🇷 tâché

🇪🇸 manchado

🇹🇷 lekeli

🇰🇷 흠이 있는

🇸🇦 ملطخ

🇨🇿 pošpiněný

🇸🇰 poškvrnený

🇨🇳 有瑕疵的

🇸🇮 omadeževan

🇮🇸 blettaður

🇰🇿 дақты

🇬🇪 დაცემული

🇦🇿 ləklənmiş

🇲🇽 manchado

Etymology

The word 'blemished' originated from the Middle English word 'blemisshen', which in turn came from the Old French word 'blesmir', meaning 'to make dirty or spotted'. The concept of blemishing has been associated with imperfections and faults throughout history, often symbolizing the idea of tarnishing or damaging something's reputation or appearance.

See also: blemishes, unblemished.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,575 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.