injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.
badly injured in an accident
harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.
careful not to harm the animals
hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.
hurt by their callous remarks
damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.
a table damaged in shipping
impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.
years of smoking had impaired his health
mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.
the text is marred by many typos
Example Sentences
Verb A large scar marred his face. Her acting mars an otherwise great movie. Noun the Johnsons complained to the movers about broken dishes and mars on the furniture
Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English marren, from Old English mierran to obstruct, waste; akin to Old High German merren to obstruct
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1