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
Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
The fire comes after a string of reports across Italy in recent weeks of Tesla vehicles being vandalized and defaced, with anti-Elon Musk and anti-Donald Trump sentiments written with spray paint.
—Barbie Latza Nadeau and Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
Back in November, a similar situation took place in Japan when an American tourist was arrested for allegedly defacing the entrance to the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo's Shibuya ward.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
The latest targeting of Trump’s property comes less than a week after protesters took credit for defacing his Turnberry golf course in southwest Scotland.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Verb
The Utah resident also defaced an exhibit of a memorial to Black Civil War soldiers at the National Gallery of Art, prosecutors said.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
The fire comes after a string of reports across Italy in recent weeks of Tesla vehicles being vandalized and defaced, with anti-Elon Musk and anti-Donald Trump sentiments written with spray paint.
—Barbie Latza Nadeau and Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
Back in November, a similar situation took place in Japan when an American tourist was arrested for allegedly defacing the entrance to the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo's Shibuya ward.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
The latest targeting of Trump’s property comes less than a week after protesters took credit for defacing his Turnberry golf course in southwest Scotland.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deface
Verb
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Two cars belonging to state legislators were vandalized Wednesday in the parking lot of the Colorado Capitol, police said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
8 May 2025
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His and several university officials had their homes vandalized.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2025
Verb
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According to the Associated Press, no one was injured during the incident, citing court documents.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
14 May 2025
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Two people were injured and a dozen apartments left uninhabitable following an early morning fire Wednesday at a three-story apartment building, the second residential fire in Elgin in less than a week.—
Courier-News,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
Noun
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This, the Foundation argues, could mean significant amounts of vandalism, disinformation or abuse going unchecked, unless volunteers of all ages, all over the world, undergo identity verification.—
Emma Woollacott,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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But violence, vandalism or destruction of property are completely unacceptable.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
Verb
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An embarrassing, humbling, shocking Game 5 defeat showed that. All the same problems, the ones that destroyed Leaf team after Leaf team and ultimately ended Sheldon Keefe’s time as head coach, are emerging again at the worst possible time.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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At least 144 structures were destroyed and parts of Highway 44 were shut down, said St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Gary said people who had their homes damaged in the March storms can apply online for federal assistance or meet with state and local officials in person.—
Neal Earley,
Arkansas Online,
16 May 2025
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Could this dialing back up be artificially controlled when the brain is too damaged to do so itself?—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2025
Verb
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WIth Jarren Duran on first with a one-out single in the sixth, Devers demolished Lugo’s first pitch, a 91.8 mph four-seamer.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2025
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If anything, Gunther should absolutely demolish the beloved McAfee as a way of getting back on the right foot following a surprise submission defeat to Jey Uso at WrestleMania 40.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Verb
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The Mavericks had a season marred by injuries and executed a trade that not only shocked the NBA but also enraged fans.—
Jason Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
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Finding an innovative, sustainable path to parity—without triggering the kind of prolonged labor disputes that have marred the sport’s past—will do far more for the game than any piece of equipment ever could.—
John Cairney,
Sportico.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Sonos is very, very sorry for ruining your speaker system.—
Boone Ashworth,
Wired News,
9 May 2025
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deface. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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