efface

verb

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ef·face | \ i-ˈfās

, e- \

effaced; effacing

Definition of efface

transitive verb

1 : to eliminate or make indistinct by or as if by wearing away a surface coins with dates effaced by wear also : to cause to vanish daylight effaced the stars

2 : to make (oneself) modestly or shyly inconspicuous

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Examples of efface in a Sentence

coins with dates effaced by wear a memory effaced by time

Recent Examples on the Web The emperors who followed Nero swept it away in a frenzy, attempting to efface him and his works from Roman memory. — Gaia Squarci, Smithsonian Magazine, "The New, Nicer Nero," 18 Sep. 2020 To suggest that better factory farms are environmentally desirable—or just—solutions is to efface all ecological and ethical concerns in the name of greenhouse gas reduction. — Jan Dutkiewicz, The New Republic, "The Climate Activists Who Dismiss Meat Consumption Are Wrong," 31 Aug. 2020 Small plaques for cremations are easily and gracefully effaced by rose bushes and grass. — 1843, "Can words do the dead justice?," 21 May 2020 Over time, the self-effacing and unpretentious Mr. Mubarak was eclipsed by one with an almost imperial sense of entitlement. — Michael Slackman, New York Times, "Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian Leader Ousted in Arab Spring, Dies at 91," 25 Feb. 2020 This is a little sad and self-effacing but great to see the show use her. — Andy Hoglund, EW.com, "Saturday Night Live recap: Brad Pitt, Adam Sandler join second at-home episode," 26 Apr. 2020 Ryota’s widowed mother, in After the Storm, is kinder, more self-effacing, but prone to attacks of ruefulness. — Terrence Rafferty, The Atlantic, "The Irresistible Drama of Becoming Who You Want to Be," 8 Apr. 2020 They have been effaced by the end of the Cold War, the apparent global victory of neo-liberal capitalism, and the resurgence of religious extremism. — Julian Gewirtz, Harper's Magazine, "To Rebel Is Justified," 30 Mar. 2020 That sort of self-effacing, apparently unflappable management style served Iger brilliantly. — Bill Carter For Cnn Business Perspectives, CNN, "Many underestimated Bob Iger. And then he proved them wrong," 27 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'efface.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.