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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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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
Laney said Wednesday’s ruling marked a small victory in that effort. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026 The Holy Cross Tigers will mark Twisted Teens’ third album of the year and their debut on Sub Pop after signing with the storied label this summer. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
Tide gauges showed the ocean was nearly two feet higher than normal, but this was still two feet below the high water mark set by Irma in Miami-Dade. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 The Yellow Jackets climbed to as high as number seven in the AP Poll, their highest mark in nearly two decades, and even finished the season ranked for the first time since 2014. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 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
  • Flour, salt and spices were not labeled with the common name of the food.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In 2019, Italian police arrested three people in a scheme to sell at least 11,000 counterfeit bottles of Tignanello in Italy, Germany and Belgium, labeled as 2009, 2010 and 2011 vintages but filled with low-quality wine.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of label
Verb
  • The illness is characterized by muscle rigidity in the torso, arms and legs.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Julie Theriot, a biophysicist at the University of Washington, cautioned that single-cell RNA sequencing is not the only or even the best way to characterize cell states.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of characterize
Verb
  • Damage to refineries and disrupted shipping from the wars in Iran and Ukraine have pushed diesel to record highs in many markets, feeding directly into trucking, farming, and freight costs.
    — Heather Occhino, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
  • So strong was the Chicks’ commercial pull that their 2002 album Home—a trend-averse acoustic bluegrass album essentially recorded in secret—became a gargantuan hit, with two of its songs reaching the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of record
Noun
  • Fitoussi said the project began almost as a joke, with the idea of casting one of France’s busiest actors as someone who never gets to act.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • This set off a series of jokes between Meriwether and the cast, along with confirmation that there are no real plans for a reunion at this time.
    — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of joke
Noun
  • This is despite the City of London’s socio-economic diversity taskforce setting a target for half of senior leaders to come from working-class or non-professional backgrounds by 2030.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The October 2025 cease-fire plan freed the last remaining Israeli hostages and ostensibly ended hostilities, but Israel continues to constantly strike targets in Gaza, often killing civilians, including some 300 children in the past year.
    — KHALED ELGINDY, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of target
Noun
  • Mercury in your 5th House quincunxes Saturn in your 10th, bringing play, romance, or self-expression up against responsibilities, reputation, or outside expectations.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Despite its tranquil reputation, knitting is anything but boring.
    — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of reputation
Noun
  • For private schemes, the requirements include publicly available criteria, independent monitoring of compliance and procedures to withdraw or suspend a label when requirements are breached.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The government would license these groups and authorize them to test whether AI companies meet various safety criteria.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of criterion
Noun
  • England, which aims to eliminate the virus by 2030, has already met its goal of treating 80% of its hepatitis C infections.
    — Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Clients meet with their advisor periodically to discuss priorities and review progress on financial goals.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of goal

Phrases Containing mark

Browse Nearby Words

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 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mark

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mark

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