mar 1 of 2

Definition of marnext

mar

2 of 2

verb

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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
The end of the game was marred by an incident involving Gabriel Martinelli, who dropped the ball on an injured Conor Bradley, before trying to drag the Liverpool right-back off the pitch as the clock ticked down. James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026 The Death of Robin Hood depicts the titular character (Jackman) as having a past marred by crime and murder. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026 Westbrook scored on a driving layup to pass Oscar Robertson as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer at the point guard position, but the moment was marred by the sight of Raynaud writhing in pain while clutching his left knee. Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026 However, their breakneck rise is met with an equally spectacular fall, with their business marred by arson, murder for hire, and a jailhouse suicide. James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mar
Noun
  • Intel said this allows advanced workloads such as real-time defect inspection, predictive maintenance, and intelligent monitoring to run directly at the edge, cutting reliance on the cloud.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Rubella, also called German measles, is mild in children but devastating to fetuses, causing deafness, heart defects and intellectual disabilities when pregnant women are infected.
    Jake Scott, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Lawyers also argued the conviction should be overturned because the verdict was tainted by the media attention and due to faulty instructions to the jury.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Just as one bite of a cookie might not happen to contain chocolate chips, one small sample of drugs might not include fentanyl even if the larger supply is tainted, the agency’s website explains.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • When Dobbins was first injured, a source close to him said the best-case scenario for his return was if the Broncos made the Super Bowl.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Dellandrea was injured in the Sharks’ game on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets as his right leg struck the post after he was inadvertently tripped while driving to the net.
    Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Those years left scars that never fully healed.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The deep scars of prolonged conflict require time to heal, and enduring progress demands patience, tolerance, and genuine mutual understanding across all segments of Syrian society.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Nothing spoils a vacation faster than an ill-fitting pair of shoes.
    Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Only The Pitt will still be eligible to repeat these wins at the Emmys in the fall—but at least, as with the Globes, Heated Rivalry will not be skating in to spoil any longer-standing shows’ awards dreams.
    Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Some government offices and financial institutions were damaged during the unrest, residents said, while merchants reported being ordered to reopen businesses despite ongoing security operations.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
  • The gunfire damaged the car’s rear end, trunk, tail light and rear window louver, according to court documents.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot.
    Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
  • The simplest justification for museum construction is structural necessity: ceilings blotch, plumbing and heating go on the fritz.
    Jackson Arn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • This mixture attacks stains a bit stronger than the water solution.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
  • While new doors can cost anywhere from several hundred to thousands of dollars, staining, painting, and weather stripping can be done for under $150, according to O'Reilly.
    Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mar. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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