Synonyms of mark

mark 1 of 2

verb

1

as in to label

to attach an identifying slip to

marked each application with a numbered sticker

Synonyms & Similar Words

• label
• tag
• stamp
• identify
• designate
• ticket
• title
• name
• brand
• hallmark
• style
• tab
• earmark
• entitle
• term
• call
• caption
• stigmatize

2

as in to characterize

to be an important feature of

an annual event marked mostly by noise and confusion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• characterize
• distinguish
• differentiate
• customize
• individualize
• particularize

3

as in to record

to make a written note of

mark down the names of those who are planning to attend the dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• record
• log
• note
• transcribe
• report
• enter
• register
• set down
• write down
• jot (down)
• take down
• minute
• put down
• chronicle
• inscribe
• notch
• score
• chalk (up)
• enregister

mark

2 of 2

noun

ˈmärk 

1

as in joke

a person or thing that is made fun of

in the wake of the scandal, the disgraced governor became the favorite mark of late-night comedians

Synonyms & Similar Words

• joke
• target
• fool
• mock
• butt
• victim
• mockery
• derision
• laughingstock
• sport
• jest
• pigeon
• sucker
• monkey
• gull
• fall guy
• dupe
• chump
• sap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• favorite
• pet
• darling

2

as in target

a person or thing that is the object of abuse, criticism, or ridicule

his gullibility and tendency to fall for bluffs made him an easy mark at the poker table

Synonyms & Similar Words

• target
• victim
• butt
• prey
• sitting duck
• laughingstock
• lightning rod
• goat
• mockery
• scapegoat
• fall guy
• pilgarlic
• whipping boy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• troublemaker
• gossip
• tattler
• talebearer
• tattletale
• tormentor
• tease
• gossiper
• defamer
• teaser
• libeler
• torturer
• traducer
• baiter
• needler
• taunter
• heckler
• insulter
• scorner
• ribber
• mocker
• libelist
• satirist
• scoffer
• derider
• parodist
• caricaturist
• lampooner
• ridiculer

3

as in reputation

overall quality as seen or judged by people in general

a brand of crystal that bears the mark of excellence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reputation
• repute
• name
• report
• fame
• character
• note
• odor
• rep
• honor
• credit
• notoriety
• image
• renown
• regard
• admiration
• celebrity
• reverence
• persona

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shame
• dishonor
• reproach
• disgrace
• infamy
• discredit
• disrepute
• odium
• ignominy
• opprobrium
• obloquy

4

as in criterion

something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared

lately his playing hasn't been up to the mark expected of a concert pianist

Synonyms & Similar Words

• criterion
• standard
• benchmark
• measure
• metric
• grade
• example
• par
• yardstick
• touchstone
• rule
• gold standard
• barometer
• bar
• instance
• norm
• average
• pinnacle
• apex
• peak
• case
• summit
• zenith
• meridian
• acme

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deviation
• abnormality
• aberration

5

as in goal

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

set marks for expected daily output

Synonyms & Similar Words

• goal
• purpose
• aim
• plan
• intent
• intention
• object
• idea
• objective
• thing
• ambition
• dream
• target
• point
• meaning
• end
• design
• ideal
• aspiration
• bourne
• project
• name of the game
• hope
• pretension
• desire
• wish
• scheme
• mind
• plot
• destination
• holy grail
• grail
• nirvana
• terminus

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• way
• means
• method

6

as in feature

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind

a sensitive expression that is the mark of a poet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• feature
• characteristic
• quality
• attribute
• trait
• attribution
• marker
• criterion
• hallmark
• stamp
• property
• symbol
• specific
• touch
• point
• sign
• fingerprint
• peculiarity
• note
• affection
• particularity
• indication
• character
• emblem
• badge
• diagnostic
• differentia
• token
• virtue
• grace
• merit
• excellence
• charm
• eccentricity
• uniqueness
• singularity
• individuality
• quirk
• idiosyncrasy
• oddity

7

as in scar

something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing

a small mark where the car had scraped a wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scar
• defect
• blotch
• mar
• blemish
• stain
• distortion
• blight
• imperfection
• flaw
• spot
• irregularity
• deformity
• fault
• disfigurement
• pockmark
• excrescence
• bug
• abnormality
• excrescency
• injury
• blur
• weakness
• blot
• taint
• failing
• glitch
• damage
• kink
• impairment
• malformation
• misshape
• defacement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enhancement
• ornament
• decoration
• adornment
• embellishment

8

as in effect

the power to bring about a result on another

a person of some mark in the field of evolutionary biology

Synonyms & Similar Words

• effect
• influence
• impact
• consequence
• sway
• repercussion
• prestige
• importance
• significance
• pull
• mastery
• domination
• weight
• authority
• dominion
• command
• clout
• supremacy
• sovereignty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakness
• impotence
• helplessness
• powerlessness
• impotency

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mark distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of mark are note, sign, symptom, and token. While all these words mean "a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible," mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance.

a mark of a good upbringing

When can note be used instead of mark?

In some situations, the words note and mark are roughly equivalent. However, note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic.

a note of irony in her writing

When would sign be a good substitute for mark?

The synonyms sign and mark are sometimes interchangeable, but sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason.

encouraging signs for the economy

In what contexts can symptom take the place of mark?

The meanings of symptom and mark largely overlap; however, symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition.

rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay

When is token a more appropriate choice than mark?

While in some cases nearly identical to mark, token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible.

this gift is a token of our esteem

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mark

Verb

While leaders in the artificial intelligence industry dubbed 2025 the year of Agentic AI, 2026 marks the shift from capability to execution. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026

Friday marked the second straight home game that the Rockies’ bullpen gave up a lead of six or more runs. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 2 May 2026

Noun

His 12 home runs in March/April are the most in Sox history, breaking the previous mark of 11 held by Paul Konerko in 2010. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

History shows, however, that his predictions for when his companies’ breakthroughs will occur tend to be several years off the mark—if the breakthroughs happen at all. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 1 May 2026

Phrases Containing mark

• high-water mark
• make one's mark
• mark (off)
• mark down
• mark time