deface 1 of 2

verb

di-ˈfās How to pronounce deface (audio)
Definition of defacenext
1
as in to vandalize
to deliberately cause the damage or destruction of another's property the principal vowed to get the punks who defaced the statue in front of the school

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to injure
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of years of wear had defaced the fine engraving on the coins

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

defacement

2 of 2

noun

as in vandalism
deliberate damaging or destroying of another's property the defacement of the school's property ended up costing hundreds of dollars

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deface
Verb
No patriots so defaced America as those who, in the name of Americanism, launched a witch hunt that became a byword around the world. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 Trump, in one of his Truth Social posts, cited laws against defacing monuments as grounds for imprisoning anyone harming the pool. — Nathan Ellgren, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026
Noun
Regardless, following the Roonstrasse defacement, a wave of additional antisemitic vandalism spread throughout West Germany and other places, including the United States. — Daniela R. P. Weiner, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026 This can include denial-of-service attacks, in which hackers try to jam a network so legitimate users cannot use it, and website defacements, which can prevent a company from communicating with customers. — ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deface
  1. vandalize
  2. injure
  3. destroy
  4. damage
  5. demolish
  6. mar
  7. ruin
  8. cripple
Verb
  • The Brownsville Youth Soccer Association is seeking help from the community after its soccer fields were vandalized.
    — Josh Taylor, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Flock cameras have now been vandalized in at least 36 states, according to NPR.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of vandalize
Verb
  • Hobbs has not practiced since mid-August, Green was injured in the second preseason game and Prysock went down in the finale.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Park was awarded a Purple Heart, a distinction for those injured or killed in combat.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of injure
Verb
  • Almost 50 homes and other structures have been destroyed so far; there have been several injuries, and one of Tibbetts’s neighbors lost 20 German shepherds.
    — Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The flood then destroyed roads and knocked out power and phone networks, leaving families unable to establish even the most basic facts.
    — Laura Saravia, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • Maiquetía International airport, outside Caracas, was damaged from twin earthquakes on June 24 that devastated the country.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The flooding inundated areas along the Trishuli River, burying some buildings and damaging bridges and roadways.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of damage
Verb
  • Later demolished, the home sat directly across the street from a far more modern residence by a designer with ties to the Tao restaurant chain and the Venetian Las Vegas.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026
  • That then will allow the existing Willowcreek Middle School to be demolished.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of demolish
Verb
  • But his tenure has been marred by a number of fatal shootings of immigrants in encounters with ICE officers.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Smith’s presence could help prevent the friction that marred Babcock’s tenures in Toronto and Columbus.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of mar
Verb
  • But if clouds ruin your view — or the moon is below the horizon at the time of the eclipse — there's no need to fret!
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The news of the relationship almost ruined the church, which quickly began hemorrhaging members.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • In 2022, officials condemned Iran for a cyberattack that crippled Albania's government services.
    — Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Businesses have warned that the duties could cripple their sales and that the threat alone has already taken a toll.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of cripple

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Cite this Entry

“Deface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deface. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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