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
as in vandalism
deliberate damaging or destroying of another's property
the defacement of the school's property ended up costing hundreds of dollars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deface
Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
Schiffmann’s company spent $1 million to plaster New York City subways with ads this fall, only to have many of them defaced or torn down.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 16 Nov. 2025
Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
After a while, sticky notes appear, written by someone else who’s not exactly pleased about the doodler’s defacement of the only astronomy reference work in the school library.
—Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Verb
In October, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson posted that the MLK statue had been defaced with graffiti.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
Schiffmann’s company spent $1 million to plaster New York City subways with ads this fall, only to have many of them defaced or torn down.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 16 Nov. 2025
Noun
Palombo learned of the complete defacement through private messages on his social media channels.
—Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
After a while, sticky notes appear, written by someone else who’s not exactly pleased about the doodler’s defacement of the only astronomy reference work in the school library.
—Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deface
Verb
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Over just two days, 30 people were arrested for vandalizing the mall.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
14 Jan. 2026
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The husband was criminally charged with vandalizing property, and the neighbors obtained a harassment prevention order against him.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Córdoba, Spain — A commuter passenger train derailed in Gelida, near the Spanish city of Barcelona on Tuesday, killing the driver and injuring 37 people, a spokesperson for the regional government of Catalonia told CNN.—
Pau Mosquera,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
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Several people were injured during an altercation, police said, and Dallas Fire-Rescue took five victims to a hospital.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Since the Westminster Mall’s more than 40 interior shops closed in late October, the Westminster Police Department has received more than 400 calls about trespassing, vandalism and other illicit activity, with 54 people being arrested on the property now in a holding pattern awaiting redevelopment.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
14 Jan. 2026
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Wednesday morning, SacRT alerted riders that a bus bridge was in place along the Gold Line between Sunrise and Historic Folsom due to vandalism.—
Cecilio Padilla,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But the Red Sox destroyed and ended their relationship with their only true power hitter and proven winner for a player who, though an undeniably excellent addition, was here for 117 total games.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
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In the Pacific Palisades and nearby Malibu, flames burned for 31 days, scorching 37 square miles and destroying more than 6,000 structures, most of them homes.—
Sarah Alegre,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Some government offices and financial institutions were damaged during the unrest, residents said, while merchants reported being ordered to reopen businesses despite ongoing security operations.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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The gunfire damaged the car’s rear end, trunk, tail light and rear window louver, according to court documents.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Police said officers from the 116th Precinct had been alerted to the vandalization in the neighborhood and found 11 different police vehicles, both marked and unmarked, with damage.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
13 Nov. 2025
Verb
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It is designed to mirror the East Wing addition after the previous building was demolished last year.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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In order to do so, the city has to acquire the land and purchase the properties — valued at $22 million total — and demolish them, causing several businesses to close or relocate to make way for the project.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The announcement comes as consumer demand for plug-in hybrids has slowed and federal support for electric powertrains has vanished, while, simultaneously, certain Stellantis 4xe vehicles have been marred by continuous recalls.—
Liam Rappleye,
Freep.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Their union was marred by affairs on both sides, perhaps most notably Charles’s ongoing affair with the former Camilla Parker Bowles (now Queen Camilla).—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deface. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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