I just want to say that I, for one, don't think you used that word wrong. Marked means strikingly noticeable or conspicuous. If you look at my past, as a whole, I have experiences that are strikingly noticeable in their vileness, their grossness, their filthy wretchedness.

As someone who's experienced BOTH abuse and trauma, I have zero problem with you describing my history as sordid. My past WAS gross and wretched. Many of my memories are terrible and horrible and I wish I didn't have them.

He used the word correctly as far as grammar goes. I understand that many people may not AGREE with the way he and I see histories like mine, but it doesn't make him necessarily WRONG and he shouldn't have to apologize for that.

It's kinda like arguing over if a paint is pink or salmon. One party can't really declare themselves to be "right". It's just a different viewpoint.