black mark

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In fact, if the indictments become a black mark against the company among some customers, Dell may have one less rival to worry about.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

The name Jean-Baptiste Lamarck has long carried a black mark in the annals of science.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

A new settlement put forward by prosecutors this year dropped the criminal charge, a black mark for Boeing that could have complicated its dealings with the government as a contractor.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2025

Allowing this symposium to proceed along the lines laid out in the announcement will be a black mark for Stanford in the scientific community.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 29, 2024

“I brought you a sandwich since you weren’t at lunch. Camilla said the lady in the dining hall saw me stealing it and she made a black mark by my name on a list.”

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt