mar 1 of 2

Definition of marnext

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
That game was marred by violence between Uruguay’s players and opposition supporters after full time. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 June 2026 Starmer is leaving after two years in office marred by missteps and judgment errors that eroded his standing with his party and the public. ABC News, 24 June 2026 What immediately followed that bright June day were dark months marred by the state’s largest criminal investigation in history coming up empty, police questioning second graders for new leads and mounting legal battles among the Horman family grappling with utter devastation. Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 23 June 2026 The 2012 gathering was marred by the death of Houston in her Beverly Hilton room just hours before the start of the party. Jennifer Frederick, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mar
Noun
  • Conducted at Longcheer Technology’s electronics manufacturing facility, the robots carried out tasks including tablet inspection, defect sorting, and material transport without interruption.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026
  • Roughly one-third of congenital heart defects in children with Down syndrome resolve naturally, and many need only a minor intervention.
    Michelle Sie Whitten, STAT, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • That experience is quickly tainted, however, once dullness and yellowing set into the fabrics.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
  • Murdaugh’s attorneys appealed the convictions, saying the trial was tainted by the county clerk Becky Hill’s inappropriate comments to jurors implying his guilt.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • The Jackson County charges came after police accused Sanchez-Munoz in a series of shootings in Kansas City that left one man, Jeremy Keenan, dead and four others injured on June 16.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026
  • French and Ukrainian media reported that a Ukrainian magnate and his family were those injured.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • South Africa on Tuesday faces a major test for a state already stretched and carrying the scars of violence from years prior.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 June 2026
  • An 18-year-old man with autism was repeatedly beaten and burned by his father and stepmother, resulting in his body being left covered with scars, according to investigators in North Carolina.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Whether they're getting greased after a Super Bowl or spoiling All-Star rosters, does any city's poles get as much attention as Philadelphia's?
    Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
  • Both suet and hummingbird nectar are very susceptible to spoiling from the heat.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • Some of these storms could be severe and deliver damaging wind gusts, but any thunderstorm will contain lightning — a major danger for any outdoor activities, especially for anyone trying to escape the heat in or on the water.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Diseases that damage the kidneys and impair their ability to filter blood were blamed for 55,081 deaths in 2024.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
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
Verb
  • Semi-sheer, marbled accent nails look like they’ve been stained with blackberry juice.
    Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 29 June 2026
  • Dressing up for warmer weather can be a challenge since plush fabrics like silk can easily stain and aren’t as breathable.
    Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mar. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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