MAR Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

mar 1 of 2

noun

Definition of mar

as in defect

something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing the Johnsons complained to the movers about broken dishes and mars on the furniture

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mar

2 of 2

verb

ˈmär

as in to taint

to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable mar a politician's reputation with scurrilous rumors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to injure

to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of the once glossy surface is now marred by numerous small pits and abrasions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

The episode was marred some by a glitch in the show’s voting system; viewers weren’t able to choose their favorites on the DWTS website and had to vote by text. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 Another interesting option is Yetur Gross-Matos, whose recent stint with the 49ers was marred by a knee issue. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Previous elections in Serbia have been marred by multiple irregularities and violence. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 Climate was top of the agenda at Première Vision Paris as the global textiles fair took place in the still-sweltering 27-degree Centigrade (about 80 degrees Fahrenheit) heat following a summer marred by record heat across Europe. — Ellen Groves, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mar

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mar

Noun

Elimination of surface wrinkles and structural defects led to the optimization of all three layers of the solar cell for peak energy capture.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
Established in 2015, the EAFF aims to help people with amputations or limb defects gain access to amputee soccer throughout Europe.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of defect

Verb

While three players have exceeded that total in the National League, all were active in the steroids era and their accomplishment has been tainted as a result, which is not the case for Judge.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Even if the Constitution is democratically tainted, what is the alternative?

— Brian Fitzpatrick, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of taint

Verb

Since the Iran war began, there has been increasing confusion over the number of troops who have been injured and killed, unlike in many other overseas conflicts when data is reported routinely.

— Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026
Some horses come in severely injured, which is no longer necessarily a death sentence.

— Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of injure

Noun

Sanitation crews are also working to clear debris and shore up burn scar areas to mitigate flood risks, Mayor Karen Bass’ office said in a statement.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
But Kye is insecure about the scars on his chest and on his head, so the girl agrees to blindfold herself with a silk scarf before meeting him.

— S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of scar

Verb

But these two things at a certain time of year, because in the summer, the cottage cheese would rot, and the eggs would spoil.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Digger is, first and foremost, a parable—without spoiling the plot, its events are intentionally exaggerated to make a point about humans and climate change.

— Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of spoil

Noun

Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark facial bands and gray or tan body patterned with black or brown blotches.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of blotch

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“Mar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mar. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mar

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