SCAR Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

scar 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of scar

as in defect

something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing the scars left by carelessly scratching the car door with one's keys

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scar

2 of 3

noun (2)

ˈskär

as in cliff

a steep wall of rock, earth, or ice at the next bend in the river, a scar of red sandstone steeply rises to over 100 feet

Synonyms & Similar Words

scar

3 of 3

verb

as in to bruise

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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 scar

Noun

The historical house, owned by Oliver Anderson at the time of the war, the gardens and orchard are still marked with battle scars. — Zuri Primos july 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026 The mental and emotional turmoil following the loss of two men who had been by Joshua’s side for the majority of his professional career will leave a far deeper scar than the physical wounds. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Verb

The stump scarred over with dense collagen, mimicking mammalian wound healing exactly. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026 Even with improved disease control, many patients are left managing the lasting effects of HS—particularly scarring and post-inflammatory pigmentation. — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for scar

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scar

Noun

Regrettably, Anolik, who is almost singlehandedly responsible for Babitz’s literary exhumation, has so fallen in love with her subject as to almost blind her to Babitz’s defects, both with respect to her writing and to the life.

— Steve Wasserman, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2026
To capture the earliest stages of failure, the team incorporated photoelasticity, an imaging technique that reveals stress building around tiny defects before visible cracks appear.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026

Definition of defect

Noun

Then temperatures turned record-hot in Western Europe in May, just as France and Spain’s precipitation fell off a cliff, leading to drought.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
Even though The Fool has forward momentum, like Plath, that momentum can lead to hesitancy — one step in the wrong direction, and The Fool falls off the cliff.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026

Definition of cliff

Noun

Verticillium wilt causes similar blotches and yellowing.

— Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
Pine snakes can grow up to 56 inches in length, have black, brown, and russet scales with dark blotches along their backs, and are noted for having a pointed nose, which experts believe may help with burrowing.

— Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026

Definition of blotch

Noun

Built around a towering sandstone escarpment that rises through the centre of the property, surrounded by a deliciously cold pool, the architecture was conceived in careful negotiation with the landscape.

— Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 3 July 2026
The tents are perched on top of escarpment with views of the TK below.

— Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Definition of escarpment

Verb

After the game, Tillman showed up at the press area without shoes on, his sock bloodied where a defender’s cleat had pierced his boot.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
Tillman, whose right foot was bloodied before the kick because a Bosnian player stepped on it, still arced a shot over five standing Bosnians, into an unsaveable spot that keeper Nikola Vasilj almost dared Tillman to target.

— Sean Gregory, Time, 2 July 2026

Definition of bloody

Noun

As mentioned, his basketball bonafides are plentiful, especially given his indelible mark as the greatest shooter the sport has ever seen.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 22 July 2026
The Daily Show, which is nearing its 30th anniversary mark, was recently nominated for seven Emmys including best variety series and outstanding short form comedy, drama or variety series.

— Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026

Definition of mark

Noun

The optical illusion reminded early settlers of the blockades of wooden stakes, or palisades, built around forts to ward off threats.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
In 2014, the regional nonprofit group SOS Sahel came to Barkadroussou and taught villagers to stabilize the dunes by building palisades of palm fronds.

— Julie Bourdin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026

Definition of palisade

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scaping

scar

scarab

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“Scar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scar. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of scar

noun (1)

noun (2)

verb

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