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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deface
That same year, a vandal at the Tate Modern in London deliberately defaced Rothko’s 1958 painting Black on Maroon (1958) with graffiti.
—
Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2025
Many of its icons were missing, and those that remained had been defaced.
—Ben Hubbard, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Gannon, one of 80 or 90 agents assigned to the case, testified that serial numbers had been defaced from gun parts possibly so that law enforcement could not trace them.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Although the Diocese typically purchases a vendor booth for Pride, Danielson says progressive faith leaders stepped up their support after a local rainbow mural was defaced in May 2024.
—Nico Lang, Them., 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2025
Many of its icons were missing, and those that remained had been defaced.
—Ben Hubbard, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Gannon, one of 80 or 90 agents assigned to the case, testified that serial numbers had been defaced from gun parts possibly so that law enforcement could not trace them.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Although the Diocese typically purchases a vendor booth for Pride, Danielson says progressive faith leaders stepped up their support after a local rainbow mural was defaced in May 2024.
—Nico Lang, Them., 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deface
Verb
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Hundreds of peonies were vandalized and pro-Palestinian signs were left behind at the University of Michigan's botanical gardens, officials said.—
Elissa Robinson,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
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On June 15, 2020, amid nationwide racial-justice protests, it was discovered that the statue's base was vandalized with varnish.—
Amir Mahmoud,
Arkansas Online,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Federal officials said one immigration agent was injured when a rock shattered his vehicle’s windshield, and the U.S. Marshals Service reported arrests for obstructing operations, according to the Times.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2025
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Among those injured was an infant and a 14-year-old girl, according to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.—
Natalya Kushnir,
ABC News,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Aid distributed inside Israeli military zones Gaza’s roughly 2 million Palestinians are almost completely reliant on international aid because nearly all food production capabilities have been destroyed.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
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The first move for a mistrial from Combs’ legal team occurred at the end of May, after prosecutors asked Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigator Lance Jimenez if fingerprint evidence related to the bombing of Kid Cudi's car had been destroyed.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2025
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Her older brother, a successful economist, and her sister, a government lawyer, have repeatedly warned her that her outspokenness could damage not only her career but theirs.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Verb
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In 2012, Texas Wesleyan went to the city’s historic and cultural landmarks commission seeking permission to demolish the home for further campus expansion, but were denied.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
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Goldschmidt has demolished the NL Central in his career, with a slash line of .291/.388/.527 in almost 550 games played.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Graffiti marred the exterior of City Hall, an Art Deco landmark built in 1928.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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Signed in 2023 from Fenerbahce in his homeland, Guler’s debut season was marred by injuries.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
Verb
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The situation took a turn when Amy accidentally ruined her earbuds in the wash.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
3 June 2025
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There were missions that felt like a rally racing mini-game, asking me to navigate between timer-extending rings dotting barren desert ruins.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
3 June 2025
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Deface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deface. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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