mar 1 of 2

mar

2 of 2

verb

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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
The game was marred by penalties as both teams made numerous mistakes, but there was no mistaking the potential for explosive plays by both offenses. Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2025 His second pro season was marred by a torn Achilles tendon last spring. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 23 May 2025 Foot and muscular injuries marred his start to the season. Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 16 May 2025 But a performance in mid-November at a charity event on Richard Branson’s Necker Island was marred by an unusual bout of nausea and balance issues, which Taryn and her sisters Holly, 47, and Isa, 49, chalked up to stress and exhaustion. Rachel Desantis, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mar
Noun
  • However, during a recent appearance on the All The Smoke podcast, the NBA veteran blames the crash on the car’s defect.
    Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 21 May 2025
  • In fact, traditional defect detection methods tend to catch the problem at a late stage in the development lifestyle, which will definitely result in a delay and a steep cost.
    David Henkin, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • About 26,500 of those who consume food tainted by salmonella are hospitalized.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
  • The appointment of Johnson came at the end of a contentious and at times emotional process that critics argued lacked transparency and was tainted by political influence.
    Kate Payne, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • At least 12 people were killed and dozens injured in the attacks.
    Jackie Northam, NPR, 26 May 2025
  • The woman also was seriously injured in the crash and was taken to a hospital by ambulance.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • Sachiko is a glamorous, modern-minded social outcast, marginalized both for her rejection of Japanese patriarchy and the scars of her and Mariko’s radiation exposure following the 1945 Nagasaki bombings.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 May 2025
  • Her aim is to disguise the scar that would give away her status as seemingly the sole person to survive being bitten without turning — or, as Ellie puts it, a chance to wear short sleeves again.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 May 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
  • The fire began on the third floor, severely damaging the entire level, while water damage affected the floors below.
    Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
  • In addition to direct contact, Toxoplasma may also damage sperm because the infection promotes chronic inflammation.
    Bill Sullivan, The Conversation, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • Some leaf-mining insects make distinct patterns, like squiggles or serpentine shapes, while others make irregular blotches, like this species.
    Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2025
  • Black panthers, as they are colloquially named, are a color variation of a leopard with fully black fur or large blotches of black spots on a dark background color, according to Britannica.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Then, once completed, pasting begins, where mud from the henna plant is placed atop the area to stain.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 22 May 2025
  • Plus, the matte, two-tone color scheme helps resist staining, maintaining the spoons' stylish appeal over time.
    Toby Rose, Parents, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mar. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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