mark 1 of 2

verb

Definition of marknext
1
as in to label
to attach an identifying slip to marked each application with a numbered sticker

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2
as in to characterize
to be an important feature of an annual event marked mostly by noise and confusion

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3
as in to record
to make a written note of mark down the names of those who are planning to attend the dinner

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mark

2 of 2

noun

ˈmärk How to pronounce mark (audio)
1
as in joke
a person or thing that is made fun of in the wake of the scandal, the disgraced governor became the favorite mark of late-night comedians

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in target
a person or thing that is the object of abuse, criticism, or ridicule his gullibility and tendency to fall for bluffs made him an easy mark at the poker table

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reputation
overall quality as seen or judged by people in general a brand of crystal that bears the mark of excellence

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in criterion
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared lately his playing hasn't been up to the mark expected of a concert pianist

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5
as in goal
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish set marks for expected daily output

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in feature
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind a sensitive expression that is the mark of a poet

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7
as in scar
something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing a small mark where the car had scraped a wall

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in effect
the power to bring about a result on another a person of some mark in the field of evolutionary biology

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mark distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of mark are note, sign, symptom, and token. While all these words mean "a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible," mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance.

a mark of a good upbringing

When can note be used instead of mark?

In some situations, the words note and mark are roughly equivalent. However, note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic.

a note of irony in her writing

When would sign be a good substitute for mark?

The synonyms sign and mark are sometimes interchangeable, but sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason.

encouraging signs for the economy

In what contexts can symptom take the place of mark?

The meanings of symptom and mark largely overlap; however, symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition.

rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay

When is token a more appropriate choice than mark?

While in some cases nearly identical to mark, token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible.

this gift is a token of our esteem

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 mark
Verb
Now, this upcoming novel marks the first in a new trilogy, with two more standalone titles scheduled for next year. —Okla Jones, Essence, 10 Apr. 2025 What To Know The bill is officially titled the Affordable Loans For Students Act and marks a moment of bipartisanship on an issue known for being divisive. —Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
The wily sneaker, all black with a design that resembles real-life Air Jordans, sees Ty as a mark and wants to steal the naive shoe’s bling — the diamonds and gold accents on his body. —Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 18 Apr. 2025 Just before the half-mile mark, hikers will reach a red wooden deck that overlooks the San Diego River. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mark
  1. label
  2. characterize
  3. record
  4. joke
  5. target
  6. reputation
  7. criterion
  8. goal
Verb
  • President Trump, meanwhile, has labeled Tesla vandalism an act of domestic terrorism and threatened to send perpetrators to an El Salvador prison.
    — Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Be sure that goods are correctly classified, valued, and labeled can prevent costly delays or fines.
    — Rohit Arora, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of label
Verb
  • The World Health Organization defines burnout as an occupational phenomenon which is characterized by feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance from one's job, and reduced professional efficacy.
    — Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to characterize the sudden change in policy as part of a grand negotiating strategy.
    — Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of characterize
Verb
  • The temperature inside the Ehrlich family's car was recorded at 96.2 degrees at 3:45 p.m. that day, even though the air temperature outside in Lakewood, New Jersey, was 67.8 degrees, the affidavit said.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • That is the lowest level recorded since NBC News began asking the question in 1990.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of record
Noun
  • Trump sued Maher in 2013 for $5 million after the comedian made a crass joke about his mother and an orangutan.
    — Steff Danielle Thomas, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2025
  • While Instagram and TikTok chase global virality, Fizz leans hard into hyper relevance: the inside joke, the anonymous confession, the econ final everyone just bombed.
    — Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of joke
Noun
  • Mohan remains bullish on Apple, as his $250 price target implies the stock could jump about 45%.
    — Pia Singh, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Ukraine is fielding carrier drones or motherships to transport FPVs to the target area before launching them.
    — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of target
Noun
  • Tagovailoa is still trending upwards from a developmental standpoint, but needs to shed his fragile reputation.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
  • After pushing him out, the Mavericks added insult to injury by casting a shadow over his reputation on the way out.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of reputation
Noun
  • Titled Protecting Europe's Essential Societal Functions, the strategy calls for minimum preparedness criteria to be implemented among essential services such as hospitals, schools, transport and telecommunications.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The group assigned to identify a new home, known as the Sundance Film Festival Location Task Force and was made up of both Sundance staff members and board members, narrowed that list down to 67 cities that met its initial criteria and submitted an RFI.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of criterion
Noun
  • With 16 goals and five assists in 32 games, Bryan Mbeumo might already be in your ‘joy to watch’ list.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The seventh-place Lions are only below Chelsea on goal differential and have just a one-point deficit with Manchester City for the final Champions League spot.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of goal

Phrases Containing mark

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maritime
mark
mark down
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Cite this Entry

“Mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mark. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mark

Nglish: Translation of mark for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mark

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