mar 1 of 2

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 past year has been marred by a number of troubles, including resolving management problems and financial issues. David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Sep. 2025 Kennedy’s time as HHS secretary has been marred with controversy. Alana Semuels, Time, 4 Sep. 2025 So far this year, American Eagle's performance has been marred by merchandising missteps, tariffs and an uncertain consumer that's being more selective when spending money on products like clothes and shoes. Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025 Deadly holiday weekend mars broad crime drop The back-and-forth followed a Labor Day weekend of deadly violence in Chicago worse than in the previous two years, with seven people shot to death, according to preliminary Chicago Police Department reports. Andy Rose, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mar
Noun
  • However, even high-quality 2D materials can have atomic defects, like missing sulfur or selenium atoms, which affect electrical behavior.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
  • American electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian is recalling more than 24,000 vehicles because of a defect with hands-free highway assist, federal safety regulators said.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Rahmani, the former prosecutor, said statements by Patel and other Justice Department officials could raise concerns about tainting the jury pool in a future trial.
    Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Swift and Lively’s long friendship had been a distinct sub-plot in the IEWU legal battles, with tabloid fodder that the duo have fallen out over the controversy adverse Eras Tour performer getting tainted with the whole thing.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The severity, healing and availability of Purdy’s toe will depend heavily on which toe is injured and what specific part of the toe got injured.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Almost certainly out this week also is injured receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder), who provided most of the scant glimmers of hope in the Super Bowl with eight catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That trade leaves a scar for some fans even a half-century later.
    Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • That creates a scar that probably never completely heals.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Despite Alfred and Jefferson-Wooden being the clear favorites for gold in the 100-meter dash, there are a few others besides Fraser-Pryce who could spoil the party.
    Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Instead, the couple is content to spoil their dog, Bimini, a mini Labradoodle whom Berk first introduced on his Instagram in 2021.
    Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Using abrasive cleaner or products with harsh chemicals can damage the beautiful material and lead to a less-than-pretty tub.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
  • But posting on social media leaves a record, and in times of escalating political polarization, those declarations can be seen as damaging to the reputation of an individual or their employer.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Gopher snakes tend to be tan-colored with large square brown blotches or saddles along their backs and smaller gray spots on their sides.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The baby was purple-gray-colored, in blotches; wet, smeared in blood and what looked like whitish wax.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • Wood filler is the best choice for repairing large, deep gouges, but usually requires staining.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Inside the retro-futuristic Discoveryland area of Disneyland Paris, a full-size Star Wars X-Wing fighter sits on a silver and blue platform which looks like it has been weathered and stained from battles.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mar. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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