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
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
Including playoffs, Mayfield turned the ball over more than anyone else from 2023 through 2024, marring an otherwise fantastic two seasons in Tampa Bay.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
An optional front rack on both models adds instant utility without marring the retro-fantastic looks.
—William Roberson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
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
Including playoffs, Mayfield turned the ball over more than anyone else from 2023 through 2024, marring an otherwise fantastic two seasons in Tampa Bay.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
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
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Now, streaming is tainting the postseason.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
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Played by cisgender actress Kathleen Turner, Charles proved to be one of the more divisive characters from Friends, tainting its cultural legacy for some critics.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Wind gusts reached up to 110 mph, damaging homes throughout the city as the storm moved northeast.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
25 Apr. 2026
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Days of severe storms to come The shift in the weather pattern that sparked Thursday night’s storms will keep the threat level elevated for damaging wind gusts, hail and tornadoes in the central US into early next week.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Wilderness guides at Magashi Peninsula are well trained, the accommodation and food spoiling, and the wildlife sightings glorious.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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There is no dumber tradition that's come with this insufferable age of social media than spoiling draft picks.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Returning Wednesday against the Twins would mean Soto missed 15 games after injuring his right calf while running the bases on April 3 in San Francisco.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
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In the 1990s, the city of Carrollton came under scrutiny after killing and injuring birds in a rookery.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This could affect projects like painting the side of your home or even staining your deck.—
Maddie Topliff,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Apr. 2026
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Make sure the deck is completely dry before staining or sealing it.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Days after returning from the NFL annual meeting in Phoenix on March 31, Vrabel was contacted by the New York Post seeking comment on the fact the paper was in possession of seemingly compromising photos of the coach and Russini, who worked for The Athletic at the time as an NFL reporter.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Enjoy easy-release, mess-free cooking without compromising on health.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As the world's largest oil importer and a heavily export-reliant economy, China is vulnerable to an oil shock that's already slowing trade, pushing up factory costs, and darkening the outlook for the rest of the year.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2026
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The staggering human toll in Gaza, ongoing West Bank settlement expansion, another incursion into Lebanon, and a darkening war with Iran eroded support among younger Americans—even as Washington remains Israel’s indispensable security partner.—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Eden outlined how, by crippling universities over charges of antisemitism, McMahon could also achieve larger goals.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Confidence in Israel’s ability to seriously damage Iran’s nuclear program has slipped from 62% to 48%; expectations of crippling its ballistic missile arsenal have dropped from 73% to 57%.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Marring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/marring. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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