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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to bruise
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 27 Apr. 2026
Mary, meanwhile, walks away with visible scars, although the real healing was all internal.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Around 50 million people worldwide live with this infection, and every year, about 242,000 people die, mostly because long‑term infection can scar the liver or lead to liver cancer.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scar
Noun
Dermatologists recommend a vitamin C serum to help reduce hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and overall skin dullness.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 27 Apr. 2026
Mary, meanwhile, walks away with visible scars, although the real healing was all internal.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
Crockett and her supporters are prying open fissures that will scar whichever candidate emerges.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Around 50 million people worldwide live with this infection, and every year, about 242,000 people die, mostly because long‑term infection can scar the liver or lead to liver cancer.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scar
Verb
-
Jalen Suggs missed a total of 25 because of various injuries, including eight because of a grade 1 right knee MCL bruise.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 May 2026
-
The Times’ possible victory would bruise the Post’s reputation (they were destined to clash again over the Pentagon Papers).—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
In six weeks, Iran was bloodied and battered into submission.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Jurors later saw body camera video capturing the aftermath — Arielle bloodied, disoriented and struggling to stay conscious as bystanders tried to help her.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Elsewhere, two people were killed and three others wounded as Russian drones struck Ukraine's southern Odesa region overnight into Sunday, Ukraine's Emergency Service reported.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
-
Kareem Ruddock, 35, was identified by police as the knifeman who stabbed Rene Flores, 31, to death and wounded a 34-year-old man in the pre-dawn assault.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Kancey, 25, tore his pectoral muscle in a Week 2 win at Houston and missed most of last season.—
Rick Stroud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
So when Khalil is killed and his family targeted exactly because of this work, Jimmy is torn by guilt and grief.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Suggs looked down to see that his arm had been gashed open and was dripping blood.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The front lid appears to be barely hanging on by a thread, with cuts and gashes throughout.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
They are lacerated by propellers.—
Jessica Camille Aguirre,
New Yorker,
2 May 2026
-
Worth noting: Catcher Hunter Goodman, whose right middle finger was lacerated by a hit by pitch on Thursday night, did not start Friday.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to News Karnataka, eyewitnesses claimed to see the large animal lift the driver with its trunk before trampling and fatally goring him.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
-
According to reports, the roughly 2,900-pound rhino burst from cover and fatally gored him before retreating back into the reserve.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Trinity fire, which started May 1 in Phelan, burned 19 acres with no structures damaged, though the blaze destroyed an unknown number of Joshua trees.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
-
They’re specifically designed for glass cooktop surfaces and have two sides—a gritty, sandpaper-like one on one side and a soft sponge on the other that gently scrub off stubborn messes and stuck-on bits without scratching or damaging the glass.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scar. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
