mar 1 of 2

mar

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verb

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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
Expect a messy adjustment marred by layoffs, zoning fights and skepticism. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025 As a result, the region is marred by failing infrastructure and clogged roadways, and many of our service workers can’t afford to live within 50 miles. Liz Ames, Mercury News, 8 July 2025 Despite his energy and occasional spark, Payne’s tenure in New York was marred by inconsistent shooting efficiency and shot selection. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 1 July 2025 The beautiful game has all too often been marred by unsavory incidents of bigotry. Hannah Ryan, CNN Money, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for mar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mar
Noun
  • This doesn’t help since defects cluster and entire batches quietly go rogue while the QA team nods at those green dashboards.
    Raghu Para, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • The woman told Matt about a patient at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, James Jansky, who was dying from a heart defect.
    The Tennessean, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • With him alive, she was tainted by association with his poor behavior.
    Ann Foster, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2025
  • Combs’ reputation has been thoroughly tainted by the lurid details of the trial and strong condemnations from his many accusers.
    August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • While Trump suffered a wound when one bullet grazed his ear, others were injured and volunteer firefighter Corey Comperatore died as a result of the shooting.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2025
  • In recent weeks, WWE has teased some huge feuds for Gunther, including one with Seth Rollins, who was injured on Saturday, that seems unlikely given Rollins’ other rivalries and the fact that both stars are heels.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • Those kids don't really realize beneath that Big Blue jersey, there's a big beautiful scar, just a few inches long that subtly defines the life of Kenneth Horsey.
    Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 17 July 2025
  • Which Laser Resurfacing Facial Is Best for Collagen? Laser resurfacing helps treat acne, scars, sun damage, and wrinkles.
    Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • Dodge won't spoil the surprise by confirming if the last one will be based on the Charger or the Challenger (or maybe both), but the evidence suggests the latter is more likely.
    Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 13 Feb. 2023
  • Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.
    Monica Mark, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • Anything that damages the trust between the vendor, Microsoft, and the user is as much a threat as the hackers themselves, in my never humble opinion.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • White blotches — the frostbitten tissue — swelled on the roof of his mouth, uvula and throat.
    Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 2 July 2025
  • Verticillium wilt causes similar blotches and yellowing.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Police found items stained by blood in garbage bags in the living room closet.
    Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 9 July 2025
  • The most basic method for cleaning the toilet is to use a stiff-bristle toilet brush to physically scrub away any mineral buildup, biofilm, or staining.
    Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mar. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

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