1
as in tainting
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
mar a politician's reputation with scurrilous rumors
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in damaging
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of marring
Use place mats or tablecloths on your kitchen table to keep food spills, condensation from drinks, and utensils from marring or staining the surface.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
In Strasbourg, groups of Palace supporters clashed among themselves in a square in the city centre, marring the occasion.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Now, her engagement to the most influential eligible Commander in Gilead has been called off, marring her reputation.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 27 May 2026
Ancient lava fields can be seen as dark lunar maria marring the silvery lunar surface, which themselves are threaded with bright streaks of reflective debris strewn across the surface by violent asteroid strikes.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The demoralizing graffiti marring the main entrance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 360 Lenox Ave.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2026
Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate, along with Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren, were ejected for fighting, marring what was an intriguing game between the top team in the Eastern Conference and the one featuring the NBA’s longest current win streak.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
An optional front rack on both models adds instant utility without marring the retro-fantastic looks.
—William Roberson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
In Strasbourg, groups of Palace supporters clashed among themselves in a square in the city centre, marring the occasion.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Now, her engagement to the most influential eligible Commander in Gilead has been called off, marring her reputation.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 27 May 2026
Ancient lava fields can be seen as dark lunar maria marring the silvery lunar surface, which themselves are threaded with bright streaks of reflective debris strewn across the surface by violent asteroid strikes.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The demoralizing graffiti marring the main entrance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 360 Lenox Ave.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2026
Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate, along with Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren, were ejected for fighting, marring what was an intriguing game between the top team in the Eastern Conference and the one featuring the NBA’s longest current win streak.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
An optional front rack on both models adds instant utility without marring the retro-fantastic looks.
—William Roberson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for marring
Verb
-
Brandy, a 90s R&B mainstay, lied about marrying her daughter’s father in the early aughts for fear of tainting her stardom.—
DeAsia Paige,
AJC.com,
4 June 2026
-
Protagonist Jo’s mother disappeared when Jo was a teen, tainting her daughter with the stain of possible witchcraft.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Elsewhere in Times Square, officers moved in after a crowd began damaging a parked school bus, tearing off part of its hood, CNN’s Mark Morales reported.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
When guests feel misled — even unintentionally — brands pay through lower return rates, weaker relationships, greater skepticism, and damaging reviews.—
Teresa Mackintosh,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Republicans have long held on to hope that Valadao might be able to hold on to his San Joaquin Valley district, spoiling Democratic hopes for a flip there.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
The sheets will absorb excess moisture, which will prevent your fruits and veggies spoiling quickly.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
An alligator emerged from the water once Rivas entered it, attacking him and injuring both of his arms, state police and the sheriff's office said.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
This week massive strikes pummeling cities across Ukraine, killing at least 23 and injuring 150 more.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Use a dry microfiber cloth to thoroughly dry the surface right away, as standing water can seep into the pores of the stone and cause staining or dullness over time.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
-
Wooden chairs may require more upkeep, including washing, staining or oiling.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
As complexities increase, that crossroads of simplicity and safety will continue to be a focal point — and tools like those created by CyberFOX will continue to stand out for maintaining ease of use, adaptability, and scalability, all without compromising on strong security.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
Bolter was determined to capture the nuances Adams, Bardem, Wilson, and the other actors were finding in their characters, even if that meant compromising his own lighting plan at times.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Ever since her father left the fort almost a whole season ago, walking off into the darkening blue hills with both his hounds, never to return, her mother has taken to these long and aimless searches, sometimes with Brith and sometimes without.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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Its trio, a lonely fox-deer, an axolotl apprentice healer and a red panda Viking, travel through a darkening natural world as the series folds identity, belonging and environmental crisis.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Anxiety over ChatGPT and other emerging technology helped derail talks with both unions and the AMPTP in 2023, leading to crippling dual strikes.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
31 May 2026
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But, in a separate incident reported by Reuters, it was revealed that Musk did cut service in eastern Ukraine around the same time, crippling a planned Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kherson.—
Ben Tarnoff,
Big Think,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Marring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/marring. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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