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
His first year with the Huskies was marred by injury, and Fagnano thrived in his backup role, passing for 1,631 yards, 20 touchdowns to four interceptions and ultimately earning the start in the Fenway Bowl – what most thought would be his final college game. Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025 On the ground, the ceasefire remains marred by violence as Israeli airstrikes continue. Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2025 The transition has been marred by ongoing disagreements, political tensions, infighting and what security experts describe as a lack of a cohesive strategy for fighting the gangs. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025 Rodgers was cut by the New York Jets earlier this year following two seasons marred by an achilles injury and 6-12 overall record as the team’s starting quarterback. Sean Neumann, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mar
Noun
  • With the help of this technology, defects were significantly reduced.
    Michael Amori, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Doctors later discovered that Figari’s stroke was caused by a previously undetected congenital heart defect called a patent foramen ovale (PFO), in which a hole between the left and right chambers of the heart is left open as opposed to closing after birth, according to Penn Medicine.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Apologies to the late John Lennon, but that song has been tainted for many. Need a break?
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The river is tainted with harmful toxins from industrial waste, trash and untreated sewage.
    Kimberly Dickson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In Arkansas, officials reported that three people died and 29 others were injured following overnight storms.
    Emma Bowman, NPR, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Three people died in Independence County, Arkansas, according to the state division of emergency management and 32 people were injured across eight counties.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Countless Black women, like Justice, live with the long-term mental and physical scars of pregnancy and birth.
    Essence, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The 44-year-old actress and breast cancer survivor opened up about her scars being visible during intimate scenes, while promoting their new Apple TV+ drama series Your Friends and Neighbors.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Dodge won't spoil the surprise by confirming if the last one will be based on the Charger or the Challenger (or maybe both), but the evidence suggests the latter is more likely.
    Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 13 Feb. 2023
  • Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.
    Monica Mark, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • Their son and daughter-in-law, Cameron Bott, 35, and his wife, Diana, 36, whose nearby home was damaged in the tornado, initiated a discussion about starting a GoFundMe to offset potential insurance shortfalls in rebuilding the gas station.
    Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In addition, these same poisons can damage a cell’s DNA which can allow that cell to grow out of control and cause cancer.
    Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But this season, the one with the 4-15-0 blotch on the calendar from late November to early January, there’s no way to feel OK about Sunday.
    Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The fish have white faces with a black blotch in front of the eyes, according to the study.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • If Bonhoeffer’s example is used to justify more far-right Christian violence in America, that would be another tragedy — and a cruel irony that would stain the legacy of a man who gave up everything to confront a tyrant.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Pérez's manager, Enrique Paulino, spoke to reporters at the scene, his shirt stained with blood.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mar. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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