mark 1 of 2

1
as in to label
to attach an identifying slip to marked each application with a numbered sticker

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to characterize
to be an important feature of an annual event marked mostly by noise and confusion

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

mark

2 of 2

noun

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

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 mark
Verb
The honor marked one of two Emmy nominations for Bardem this year, as he was also recognized in the Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series category for his work as a producer on Monsters. Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025 This marked a step forward in pregnancy research. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
With Sony’s reported take this frame, that would lift the movie well above the four-century mark. Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2025 Grapevine was winless, 0-10, in 2024, and Everman wasn’t much better, recording a 1-9 mark, with its only victory coming at the hands of the Mustangs in district play. Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mark
Verb
  • Landasoft software alerted police when flagged people did anything labeled suspicious, like going out at night or logging on the internet repeatedly.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
  • After the federal No Child Left Behind Act passed in 2001 and schools in some high-poverty areas did not perform well on annual standardized tests, many were labeled failing and in need of drastic reforms.
    Mila Koumpilova, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • An increasing number of boys are lonely, isolated and confused, wrestling with the aftermath of the #MeToo movement and the expectations of rigid masculinity, which has been widely characterized as toxic.
    Don Riddell, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Davey characterizes the Longbow strategy as flexible.
    James Morris, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Polish military said no airspace violations were recorded on Saturday after jets were deployed in the airspace along the border with Ukraine.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Tatis has been crafty on the base paths, recording 29 steals on 35 attempts.
    Data Skrive, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Though the movie is accessible to new fans, there are plenty of winks and nods for diehards who can understand what might seem, to the uninitiated, like cheesy moments—a cringeworthy English rap verse, a scene parodying the product placement in K-dramas—as self-aware jokes.
    Yvonne Kim, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
  • That means having to cut jokes that don't fit his do-no-harm MO.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Over the last three years both Teck and Anglo have been takeover targets for their mining rivals, Australia’s BHP and Swiss-based Glencore.
    Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The signatories — which included the likes of EV manufacturers Volvo and Polestar, as well as material suppliers, battery manufacturers and grid operators — said the introduction of the target had already triggered hundreds of billions of euros in new investment.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Howard, a queen bee with a racy reputation, became a scene-stealer with her emotional outbursts and volatile friendship with Maddy (Alexa Demie).
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Despite the streak ending in his first season at Arkansas, Calipari said that reputation is one of the main reasons players still want to play for him.
    Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • To maintain comparability, the weights assigned to these criteria have been held constant.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • In ants, hair is one of the criteria that helps differentiate species.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Create a list of 20-30 companies aligned with your career goals.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • China’s already reached its goal of getting 300 million people involved.
    Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mark. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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