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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of 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
Verb
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
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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But the group alleged the bus was vandalized with eggs during their stop.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2025
Verb
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On Thursday, an Iranian missile strike damaged a hospital in southern Israel, as part of a barrage of strikes Israel said injured 271 people.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
19 June 2025
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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
Noun
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On Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a report of vandalism near Franklin and Orchid avenues in Hollywood at around 11:50 p.m., according to Officer Jeff Lee.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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That followed over a week of sometimes-violent clashes between protesters and police and outbreaks of vandalism and looting that followed immigration raids across Southern California.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 June 2025
Verb
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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
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To destroy the site, an attack would have to come in waves, with bombers releasing one after another down the same hole.—
Samuel Granados,
New York Times,
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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Once a peaceful area for walking and cycling, it’s now marred by dilapidated vehicles, trash and environmental hazards — posing serious health and safety concerns.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2025
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And just like that, Donald Trump ruined something else.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2025
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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