Synonyms of mar

mar 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defect
• scar
• blotch
• mark
• stain
• blemish
• blight
• deformity
• imperfection
• irregularity
• distortion
• flaw
• fault
• disfigurement
• excrescence
• spot
• pockmark
• bug
• taint
• injury
• abnormality
• excrescency
• blot
• damage
• weakness
• malformation
• misshape
• blur
• glitch
• impairment
• failing
• kink
• defacement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enhancement
• decoration
• ornament
• adornment
• embellishment

mar

2 of 2

verb

ˈmär 

1

as in to taint

to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable

mar a politician's reputation with scurrilous rumors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• taint
• spoil
• stain
• darken
• poison
• tarnish
• touch
• degrade
• blemish
• vitiate
• distort
• blacken
• discredit
• pollute
• sully
• smear
• discolor
• soil
• corrupt
• dirty
• smudge
• besmirch
• blur
• tar
• disgrace
• dishonor
• debase
• cheapen
• shame
• cloud
• demean
• smirch
• sink
• pervert
• besmear
• subvert
• abase
• lower
• deprave
• smut
• debauch
• foul
• twist
• color
• begrime
• demoralize
• bastardize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• purify
• cleanse
• elevate
• magnify
• glorify
• uplift
• dignify
• ennoble
• hallow
• enshrine

2

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

• injure
• damage
• impair
• hurt
• weaken
• cripple
• spoil
• compromise
• erode
• harm
• disfigure
• ruin
• break
• bloody
• vitiate
• deface
• blemish
• flaw
• destroy
• undermine
• cross (up)
• deteriorate
• shatter
• crab
• tarnish
• wound
• endamage
• enervate
• dent
• blight
• wear (away)
• ding
• enfeeble
• wreck
• demolish
• batter
• scour
• wash out
• devastate
• botch
• maim
• gum (up)
• mutilate
• lacerate
• mangle
• wipe out
• smash
• desolate
• tear down
• torture
• torment
• dint
• disable
• decimate
• crush
• raze
• annihilate
• waste
• total
• queer
• hamstring
• pulverize
• do in
• dash
• scourge
• lame
• clobber
• bash
• bang up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• patch
• repair
• fix
• rebuild
• reconstruct
• mend
• renovate
• help
• heal
• rectify
• cure
• revamp
• remedy
• rehabilitate
• improve
• enhance
• recondition
• revise
• edit
• perfect
• better
• remodel
• enrich
• ameliorate
• doctor
• refine
• meliorate

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

Recent Examples of mar

Verb

Most players go both ways, so the Bulldogs must stay away from the injuries that have marred past seasons. — John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Following a 2024 general election marred by allegations of widespread vote-rigging, the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has struggled to build momentum. — Hasan Ali, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug. 2026

Besides his three seasons with the Bengals, Adeniji also played for Minnesota, Cleveland and Dallas in a six-year career marred by injuries. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026

Starship, which underpins Musk’s longer-term goals in space, has faced a rocky development path marred by explosive setbacks, malfunctions and delays — at a cost of $15 billion and running. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026