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
Relevance
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
Someone has defaced it with the words BURN IN HELL, either in paint or blood.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Not all municipalities celebrate Nov. 20 today, for example, and Zumbi monuments have been defaced with racist graffiti.
—Time, 17 June 2025
Over the years, around 30 people would be arrested for toppling or otherwise defacing the cross, according to Enquirer reports at the time.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Their words come as demonstrations roil the streets, defacing public property and lighting cars on fire in response to 44 arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Not all municipalities celebrate Nov. 20 today, for example, and Zumbi monuments have been defaced with racist graffiti.
—Time, 17 June 2025
Over the years, around 30 people would be arrested for toppling or otherwise defacing the cross, according to Enquirer reports at the time.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Their words come as demonstrations roil the streets, defacing public property and lighting cars on fire in response to 44 arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deface
Verb
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Advertisement Advertisement The legislation was passed in response to an incident in which activists from the group broke into a Royal Air Force base and vandalized two tanker aircraft in protest against the United Kingdom’s support for Israel, and against Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
9 Aug. 2025
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To undermine that comparative advantage by stripping away IP rights is to vandalize our virtuosity.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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With Ter Stegen injured and the returning Wojciech Szczesny not yet registered either, having signed a new contract in July after his initial short-term from last September expired.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
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Three officers were shot and injured while responding to domestic disturbance call at a residence in Utah, law enforcement said.—
Jessica Gorman,
ABC News,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Protective sand dunes could be inundated and destroyed, which could lead to severe flooding inland, National Park Service officials at Cape Hatteras National Seashore warned Monday.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
19 Aug. 2025
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Large dangerous waves will likely inundate and destroy protective dune structures.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Hailey has an even rarer type of the illness, an extreme form of hemophilia B. That means bleeding inside his body could damage organs or tissue and quickly put his life at risk.—
Beth Warren,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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The suspect, Kevin Charles Pyles, allegedly admitted to wanting to damage the synagogue and blamed minorities for his unemployment, officials say.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Even an old grain silo near the former Nickel Plate train station raised a few hackles when it was demolished.—
John Tuohy,
IndyStar,
14 Aug. 2025
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When a building gets demolished, what happens to all that concrete, glass, stone or metal?—
Sydney Franklin,
The Enquirer,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Both votes were marred by what prosecutors said was a massive vote-buying scheme orchestrated by Shor, who has spent much of his time in Russia since he was convicted for his role in the 2014 theft of $1 billion from Moldovan banks.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
5 Aug. 2025
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Economically and socially liberal, though marred by colonial exploitation, Dutch society flourished.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Her Altadena home and the surrounding community were ruined by the Eaton wildfires that ripped through Los Angeles in January.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
14 Aug. 2025
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But a sewer backup during this weekend's historic flood ruined 60 of the backpacks, Maya Bell reports.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
14 Aug. 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 23 Aug. 2025.
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