mar 1 of 2

mar

2 of 2

verb

1
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
Always-On, Scalable Support Even if the product search has gone off without a snag, one glitch in the process, like a question or concern that pops up and doesn’t receive immediate attention, can mar the entire experience. Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 But what should have been a celebration was marred by his worries about being unemployed. Ira Porter, Christian Science Monitor, 11 June 2025 Despite a career marred by a lengthy injury history, Williamson has averaged 24.7 points per game. Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025 Graffiti marred the exterior of City Hall, an Art Deco landmark built in 1928. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for mar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mar
Noun
  • Also last year, Stellantis has recalled thousands of Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 cars because of a manufacturing defect that could cause airbags to rupture unexpectedly, resulting in metal fragments flying out, potentially killing passengers.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 June 2025
  • General Motors has recalled more than 62,000 vehicles because of a potential brake defect that could increase the risk of fire, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Thursday.
    Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • When Maris slammed his 61st home run to surpass Ruth, many Yankee fans, the media and Ford Frick, baseball’s commissioner at the time, said the accomplishment was tainted.
    Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • In the filing, Taylor argued that a TV episode about the case has the potential to taint the jury pool.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • The conflict entered its seventh day on Thursday, with Iran launching a strike that hit a major hospital in Israel, injuring at least 240 people and causing extensive damage.
    Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
  • The plane broke apart, killing all six people onboard and injuring eight people on the ground.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Ideally in places where there’s room to breathe and with a little more concern for animals, the environment and those who bear the psychological scars of service.
    Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025
  • Sudan’s children are living through the world’s largest displacement crisis Since the surge of violence in Sudan in late April 2025, thousands of families have crossed the border into Chad on a daily basis, traumatized and burdened by the scars of war.
    Brice Kevin Da, Forbes.com, 18 June 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
  • There is radiological and chemical contamination at the Natanz facility, where an above-ground portion of the fuel enrichment plant was damaged after a military strike on June 13, International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi told the United Nations Security Council on Friday.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 June 2025
  • Worn restorations: Dental fillings, crowns, and restorations can also become damaged or worn over time, exposing dentin and raising the risk of tooth decay.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • Verticillium wilt causes similar blotches and yellowing.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2025
  • Nebular patches alternate with blotches of jet; just visible in the foreground is a circle of white dots crossed with lines that meet at its center, like a spoked wheel of stars.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • But with Victoria’s Secret, Super inherited a beleaguered brand stained by upheaval and scandal.
    Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 28 June 2025
  • White signaled cleanliness, leisure and a house filled with staff who could get those pesky grass stains out.
    Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mar. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!