MAR Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

mar 1 of 2

noun

Definition of mar

as in defect

something that spoils the appearance or completeness of a thing the Johnsons complained to the movers about broken dishes and mars on the furniture

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mar

2 of 2

verb

ˈmär

as in to taint

to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable mar a politician's reputation with scurrilous rumors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to injure

to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of the once glossy surface is now marred by numerous small pits and abrasions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

In seeking a new trial, Anthony's attorneys have argued that the June proceedings were marred by strict courtroom rules and improper jury instructions. — Cbs Texas Staff, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 The firm, backed by SoftBank and Goldman Sachs, was marred by employees who pointed to Garg’s reputation for being a brash leader. — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Bosa has headlined San Francisco’s defensive end group that’s been marred by injuries during the two-plus weeks of training camp. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026 However, in recent years bilateral ties have plunged, marred by frequent tit-for-tat trade tensions and growing geopolitical rivalries. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mar

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mar

Noun

The leaves might still be green, and the branches still there, but a huge structural defect may be hidden to property owners who don’t know what to look for.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Even though Vaughn's initial plea was not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, and a mental status exam was ordered, no pretrial tests were done.

— Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of defect

Verb

But Reese and her Dream teammates tainted the historic night during the final 20 seconds.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
In July, the US was hit with a wave of explosive diarrhea caused by an outbreak of cyclospora, a parasite that spreads through food and water tainted with human feces.

— Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of taint

Verb

Maiquetía International airport, outside Caracas, was damaged from twin earthquakes on June 24 that devastated the country.

— Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
The flooding inundated areas along the Trishuli River, burying some buildings and damaging bridges and roadways.

— Jon Haworth, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of damage

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“Mar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mar. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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