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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deface
When a mural of late 18-time All-Star Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna — who both perished in a Jan. 2020 helicopter crash — was defaced last month in downtown Los Angeles, the greater L.A. community was stunned.
—
Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
It’s also protected by state and federal laws, which prohibit divers from removing, defacing or destroying underwater artifacts and structures.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025
White spray paint was used to deface the piece, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
Despite this, Chaney was convicted of defacing City Hall, but Jackson County Circuit Judge Donald Mason overturned the judgment in December 1990.
—Patrick Salland, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
It’s also protected by state and federal laws, which prohibit divers from removing, defacing or destroying underwater artifacts and structures.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025
White spray paint was used to deface the piece, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
Despite this, Chaney was convicted of defacing City Hall, but Jackson County Circuit Judge Donald Mason overturned the judgment in December 1990.
—Patrick Salland, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deface
Verb
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Her husband found the flag vandalized on the ground down the street.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
27 June 2025
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Fox 11 reported that the woman was vandalizing a Porsche SUV and damaged the windshield when she was arrested.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The plane broke apart, killing all six people onboard and injuring eight people on the ground.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
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The conflict entered its seventh day on Thursday, with Iran launching a strike that hit a major hospital in Israel, injuring at least 240 people and causing extensive damage.—
Sonam Sheth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Kanye West fired multiple PR firms before his antisemitic meltdowns destroyed billion-dollar partnerships with Adidas and Gap.—
Lilian Raji,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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But the conflict has only escalated, with Russia’s launching some of its most extensive strikes in a war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of casualties, and Ukraine’s carrying out the audacious Operation Spiderweb drone attack, which damaged or destroyed strategic aircraft inside Russia.—
Adam Rasmi,
Time,
20 June 2025
Verb
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There is radiological and chemical contamination at the Natanz facility, where an above-ground portion of the fuel enrichment plant was damaged after a military strike on June 13, International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi told the United Nations Security Council on Friday.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
21 June 2025
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Worn restorations: Dental fillings, crowns, and restorations can also become damaged or worn over time, exposing dentin and raising the risk of tooth decay.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
21 June 2025
Verb
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Hegseth touted Caine's explanation as proof the bombs fully demolished Fordow.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
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The more than 115-year-old Advocate Trinity building on the Southeast Side of Chicago, on 93rd Street, will continue to serve patients until the new hospital is ready, at which point it will be demolished.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
Verb
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They were marred by injuries throughout the season, having entered the season with somewhat high expectations.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
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Sunday night’s game was marred by an injury sustained by the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, who early in the first quarter went down with what would prove to be a torn Achilles tendon.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
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And just like that, Donald Trump ruined something else.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2025
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
26 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 3 Jul. 2025.
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