defiles; defiled; defiling
formal
1
: to make (something) dirty
The lake has been defiled by polluters.
2
: to take away or ruin the purity, honor, or goodness of (something or someone important)
She thinks slang defiles the language.
defiling the country's flag
Vandals defiled the holy shrine.
Cite this Entry
“Defile.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/defile. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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