MARK Synonyms: 289 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

mark 1 of 2

verb

Definition of mark

as in to label

to attach an identifying slip to marked each application with a numbered sticker

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Relevance

as in to characterize

to be an important feature of an annual event marked mostly by noise and confusion

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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

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

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

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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in goal

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish set marks for expected daily output

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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

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

The rollout marks the first time Catches is making its virtual fitting technology available to a multi-brand retailer, following a six-month partnership with luxury label Amiri. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026 The 10-song Burned follows 2021’s New Fragility and grew out of a turbulent stretch for Ounsworth, marked by the end of a relationship and the successive losses of his mother, uncle and a close friend. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 21 Oct. 2026

Noun

Trump has also waived sanctions on Russia, a move which Zelenskyy slammed as helping Putin push on with Moscow’s full-scale invasion, which will hit the five-year mark in February. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 Homes with the infected were identified with marks on their doors. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mark

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mark

Verb

Four bottles of chemical degreaser and bleach were not labeled with the common name of the chemical.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
The company’s portfolio includes flagship brand JNBY, menswear label Croquis, home furnishings label JNBY Home and four other apparel brands targeting different lifestyle segments.

— Denni Hu, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of label

Verb

El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by warmer waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean that spur changes in the atmosphere that can affect weather around the world.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Physical description The oyamel fir is characterized by its straight gray trunk and narrow conical crown and typically grows between 40 and 60 meters (130–200 feet) tall.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of characterize

Verb

Research partners recorded the various sounds that drones make when their propellers get chipped or cracked or their motor becomes damaged or begins to fail.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
The practice involves writing down your intrusive thoughts and fears, and even recording yourself talking about them, and playing that recording back to yourself.

— Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of record

Noun

President Emmanuel Macron has been the primary target of scorn following nationwide riots that overtook Paris and other cities, but the insurgent National Rally does not want to let mainstream conservatives off the hook.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
Las Vegas’ Michael Mayer (six receptions, 32 yards) was a frequent target.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of target

Noun

This is where reputation and communications become part of the business decisions.

— Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Rather than replicating the formula of an international luxury chain, Elegance has built its reputation on intimate hotels that celebrate Vietnamese hospitality, thoughtful design, and sense of place.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of reputation

Noun

Only 11% said leaving something for the kids is their top financial goal.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Securing public money for them raises issues over church-state separation but fulfills a longstanding goal for Christian conservatives, who lobbied for this funding.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of goal

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maritime

mark

mark down

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mark. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mark

verb

noun

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Synonyms of mark

verb

noun

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Cite this Entry

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