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
These public acts were meant not only to deface property, but to send a message of intimidation.
—
Laurence Milstein, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
In Australia, synagogues were firebombed, cars torched and Jewish community buildings defaced – the types of attacks recently seen in the United Kingdom that have prompted calls for a crackdown on antisemitism.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
No one in Florida had been charged with criminal mischief for defacing a traffic control device until the August arrests.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
But then on Christmas Day of that year, Roonstrasse was defaced with antisemitic graffiti.
—Daniela R. P. Weiner, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deface
Laurence Milstein, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
In Australia, synagogues were firebombed, cars torched and Jewish community buildings defaced – the types of attacks recently seen in the United Kingdom that have prompted calls for a crackdown on antisemitism.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
No one in Florida had been charged with criminal mischief for defacing a traffic control device until the August arrests.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
But then on Christmas Day of that year, Roonstrasse was defaced with antisemitic graffiti.
—Daniela R. P. Weiner, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deface
Verb
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San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in a press release that 39-year-old Hans Haken vandalized a building at the corner of Market and Church streets on May 16 and attacked a resident of the building who confronted him.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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But goons roaming the streets, vandalizing property and causing mayhem must not be tolerated.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
17 June 2026
Verb
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An underage girl was injured and treated at a hospital.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2026
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Sixty-six people were injured in the incident.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Verb
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Both victims died in separate mobile homes that were destroyed about two to three miles apart, Bullard said.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
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If Iran’s atomic weapons infrastructure was destroyed in this war, funneling hundreds of billions into the country can’t be used to rebuild it.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
Verb
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The storms damaged at least 20 homes in the county, Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator Keith Hertenstein said.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
Verb
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The existing residence was demolished, though plans to build a new house never moved forward.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
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The military has bulldozed or demolished wide swaths of the zone, and the area, where most of Gaza’s agricultural land lies, is inaccessible to Palestinians.—
Melanie Lidman,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The Toronto Blue Jays' 2026 season has been marred by injuries, with veteran pitcher Max Scherzer facing significant setbacks.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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As Bloomberg recently reported, brides are buying $14 spells from witches on Etsy to ensure that their $100,000 weddings are not marred by blizzards or downpours.—
Maureen Dowd,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Don't Worry Too Much About Saltwater Or Chlorine Many people assume a quick swim in the ocean or pool will ruin their sunglasses.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
20 June 2026
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Could the Boston Celtics or another team ruin the Heat’s plan, swooping in and trading for Antetokounmpo this offseason and getting a long-term commitment from him?—
Anthony Chiang
June 19,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Attacking and denying a nation’s assets in space can cripple the effective use of weapons on the ground.—
Zita Ballinger Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
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The move on Monday marks the most sweeping rollback of American oil sanctions against Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, reversing years of pressure designed to cripple Iran's economy, and is expected to deliver billions in oil revenue for the Iranian regime.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
23 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deface. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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