scarred

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Having one or more scars on the body from cuts, burns, surgery, or injury.

   Grammar: Usually before a noun or after be/look; modify with badly or deeply rather than more scarred.

   Patterns

   • badly scarred skin
   • a scarred face
   • be scarred by something

   The surgeon gently examined the scarred skin.

   His hands were scarred after years of building work.

   The fire left her with a scarred forearm.

2. 2adjectivenot comparablefigurative

   Left with lasting emotional or psychological damage after a frightening or painful experience.

   Grammar: Often follows be/remain and is intensified by deeply or permanently; not usually compared with more or less.

   Patterns

   • deeply scarred
   • be scarred by an experience
   • emotionally scarred

   She was deeply scarred by the betrayal.

   The survivors remained scarred long after the war ended.

   He seemed calm, but the loss had left him scarred.

Common combinations

badly scarred

The accident left his knee badly scarred.

emotionally scarred

The children were not physically hurt, but many were emotionally scarred.

scarred by war

The city was scarred by war and slow to rebuild.

Synonyms and how they differ

marked

Marked simply means showing visible marks; scarred suggests injury and is more specific.

damaged

Damaged is broader and can affect objects, health, or reputation; scarred usually points to lasting marks or inner hurt.

traumatized

Traumatized is stronger and clinical-leaning, emphasizing shock; scarred can be emotional without implying a diagnosis.

Opposites

Word family

scar noun

A permanent mark left on skin or another surface after injury.

scar verb

To mark or damage with a lasting visible or emotional effect.

scarring noun

The process or result of forming scars.

Commonly confused: scarred or scared?

Practice

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