mar 1 of 2

Definition of marnext

mar

2 of 2

verb

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2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mar distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of mar are damage, harm, hurt, impair, and injure. While all these words mean "to affect injuriously," mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.

the text is marred by many typos

When is it sensible to use damage instead of mar?

While in some cases nearly identical to mar, damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.

a table damaged in shipping

When might harm be a better fit than mar?

The words harm and mar can be used in similar contexts, but harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.

careful not to harm the animals

When is hurt a more appropriate choice than mar?

In some situations, the words hurt and mar are roughly equivalent. However, hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.

hurt by their callous remarks

When can impair be used instead of mar?

The words impair and mar are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.

years of smoking had impaired his health

In what contexts can injure take the place of mar?

The meanings of injure and mar largely overlap; however, injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.

badly injured in an accident

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 mar
Verb
But for some recent grads, their last few moments of school were marred by controversy. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 21 June 2026 His consequential legacy of public service is marred by his forcible removal of Native Americans. Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026 The Toronto Blue Jays' 2026 season has been marred by injuries, with veteran pitcher Max Scherzer facing significant setbacks. Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 As Bloomberg recently reported, brides are buying $14 spells from witches on Etsy to ensure that their $100,000 weddings are not marred by blizzards or downpours. Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mar
Noun
  • Equipped with onboard sensors, ANYmal scans equipment for structural defects, overheating, and gas leaks without human supervision.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 June 2026
  • Federal bridge inspections – rooted in National Bridge Inspection Standards mandated by Congress in 1968 – exist because past failures showed that small defects can threaten large structures.
    Alex Krasnok, Fortune, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • District Court Judge Tony Graf ordered measures to prevent the comments by Utah County prosecutor Christopher Ballard from tainting potential jurors should the case go to trial.
    Reuters, NBC news, 26 June 2026
  • Attorneys on both sides have raised concerns that the misinformation and extensive media attention could taint the potential jury pool.
    CBS News, CBS News, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • An underage girl was injured and treated at a hospital.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026
  • Sixty-six people were injured in the incident.
    Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • But for Johnny, the scar is a source of pride.
    Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026
  • Now Reid, dressed in black with his chest partially exposed beneath an open jacket revealing a scar, stepped on stage and into the role of Lestat in front of the audience.
    Precious Fondren, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Outside the Lineage warehouse Thursday morning, the smell of heavy smoke was already being replaced with that of spoiling food and filthy water.
    Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026
  • Against Australia in the last 16, Argentina were again labouring when faced with an inferior opponent, digging in and determined to spoil their World Cup dreams.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • The storms damaged at least 20 homes in the county, Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator Keith Hertenstein said.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • Verticillium wilt causes similar blotches and yellowing.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
  • Pine snakes can grow up to 56 inches in length, have black, brown, and russet scales with dark blotches along their backs, and are noted for having a pointed nose, which experts believe may help with burrowing.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Prosecutors said a boxcutter stained with what appeared to be blood was found in the car, and there were also possible bloodstains found on the steering wheel and exterior door.
    Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026
  • At the site, an Associated Press reporter saw rubble and chunks of concrete stained with blood.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mar. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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