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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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
After decades of struggling with addiction, JD Vance's mother has marked a major milestone. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025 The criticism marks a fracture in Ackman's -- and other business leaders' -- support for Trump. —Arkansas Online, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
Watch the segment below and note the conspicuous silence at the 3:15 mark. —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 6 Apr. 2025 Check it out below on YouTube, beginning at the three-minute mark. —Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 6 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
  • Essentially, more expensive companies are labeled as growth companies whereas cheaper companies are labeled as value companies.
    — Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Like many communities across the US, the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has sent a wave of fear through the Central American community in Maryland, whose members told CNN they have been unfairly targeted by the administration or labeled as gang members without evidence.
    — Polo Sandoval, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of label
Verb
  • Cold Creek was planted in the 1970s and exists as one of the state’s oldest vineyards; its fruit is characterized by ripe fruit intensity which the winery balances by picking the grapes over a four week period to showcase varying sweetness levels for a complex palate in flavor and structure.
    — Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • While central New South Wales is now characterized by plains and plateaus, during the Miocene, the region was surrounded by lush rainforests, according to the study.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of characterize
Verb
  • The administration expects the new rates to remain in place until the U.S. narrows a $1.2 trillion trade imbalance recorded last year.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
  • That estimate is partially based on lab tests in mice, where scientists found that just 0.010 milligrams of venom per kilogram of body weight was enough to kill half the test group — the most potent venom ever recorded for a land snake — so powerful that even a drop too small to see could be fatal.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of record
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Corden, as the event’s emcee, made some uncomfortable jokes about the Dow dropping 2200 points last Friday.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, Nwodim’s jokes focused around the food being served at the function and not being able to find a good man.
    — Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of joke
Noun
  • The sturdy build quality ensures durability against small knocks and bumps, which is important for something built with children as its target market.
    — Tantse Walter, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Recently, however, green-card holders convicted of minor crimes many years ago who previously were not targets have been detained, and the Trump administration is seeking to deport them.
    — Albert Sun, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of target
Noun
  • The first major blow to Zuckerberg's reputation as a scrappy go-getter who merely had a great idea for a harmless social media site came in 2015, with the first reporting on the Cambridge Analytica data mining scandal.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Catullus would be little more than a name and a reputation today had a single manuscript containing his poems not survived the Middle Ages.
    — Daniel Mendelsohn, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of reputation
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of criterion
Noun
  • Don't get distracted with minor goals or achievements: aim at something big and transformational. Make extraordinary things simple and accessible.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The second of those was goal number two, another type of move that a back five is set up to defend against.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 7 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 16 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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