marring
Ruining the surface
Marring is damaging or spoiling something, diminishing its perfection or completeness.
A scratch mars a polished surface; a scandal mars a reputation.
Nothing was marring her happiness.
The word implies defacement rather than destruction—the thing remains but is no longer unblemished.
Permanent mark from healing
- stainLasting surface discoloration
- spotMark or location
- imperfectionFault or shortcoming
- discolorationAltered surface pigmentation
blotch · scratch · dent · flaw · tarnish · smudge · nick · scuff
Illegal surface markings
- tagIdentifier or classifier
- defaceDamage a surface's appearance
- spraypaintPressurized pigment in cans
- desecrateViolate what's sacred
sabotage · scrawl · scratch · etch · gouge · carve · key · smash
Alter shape permanently
- distortTwist from original form
- scarPermanent mark from healing
- warpBend from true form
- mutilateInflict severe bodily harm
mangle · contort · misshape · uglify · deface · ruin · maim · blight
Complete destruction or collapse
- taintMake impure
- sullyDamage one's standing
- corruptDishonest, open to bribes
- contaminateMake unclean or unsafe
pollute · foul · besmirch · tarnish · soil · dirty · befoul · defile
Injury or damage
- impairmentDiminished function or capacity
- injuryPhysical or psychological harm
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- destructionAct of completely ruining
ruination · erosion · degradation · devaluation · diminution · wear · breakage · fracture
scar
Permanent mark from healing
- stainLasting surface discoloration
- spotMark or location
- imperfectionFault or shortcoming
discoloration · blotch · scratch · dent · flaw · tarnish · smudge · nick · scuff · chip
graffiti
Illegal surface markings
- tagIdentifier or classifier
- defaceDamage a surface's appearance
- spraypaintPressurized pigment in cans
desecrate · sabotage · scrawl · scratch · etch · gouge · carve · key · smash · destroy
deform
Alter shape permanently
mutilate · mangle · contort · misshape · uglify · deface · ruin · maim · blight · twist
ruin
Complete destruction or collapse
contaminate · pollute · foul · besmirch · tarnish · soil · dirty · befoul · defile · debase
harm
Injury or damage
- impairmentDiminished function or capacity
- injuryPhysical or psychological harm
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
destruction · ruination · erosion · degradation · devaluation · diminution · wear · breakage · fracture · crack
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion
- vandalismvandalism, defacement, tagging, defacing, graffiti tags
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- defectsdefect, flaw, crack, cracks, defective
- deterioratingdecaying, decomposing, degrading, rotting, eroding
- discolorationdiscoloration, stain, stains, staining, spots
marringbeautifying
Making more attractive
embellishing · adorning · enhancing · decorating · ornamenting