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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deface
That same year, a vandal at the Tate Modern in London deliberately defaced Rothko’s 1958 painting Black on Maroon (1958) with graffiti.
—
Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2025
Many of its icons were missing, and those that remained had been defaced.
—Ben Hubbard, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Gannon, one of 80 or 90 agents assigned to the case, testified that serial numbers had been defaced from gun parts possibly so that law enforcement could not trace them.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Although the Diocese typically purchases a vendor booth for Pride, Danielson says progressive faith leaders stepped up their support after a local rainbow mural was defaced in May 2024.
—Nico Lang, Them., 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2025
Many of its icons were missing, and those that remained had been defaced.
—Ben Hubbard, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Gannon, one of 80 or 90 agents assigned to the case, testified that serial numbers had been defaced from gun parts possibly so that law enforcement could not trace them.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Although the Diocese typically purchases a vendor booth for Pride, Danielson says progressive faith leaders stepped up their support after a local rainbow mural was defaced in May 2024.
—Nico Lang, Them., 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deface
Verb
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Hundreds of peonies were vandalized and pro-Palestinian signs were left behind at the University of Michigan's botanical gardens, officials said.—
Elissa Robinson,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
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On June 15, 2020, amid nationwide racial-justice protests, it was discovered that the statue's base was vandalized with varnish.—
Amir Mahmoud,
Arkansas Online,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Federal officials said one immigration agent was injured when a rock shattered his vehicle’s windshield, and the U.S. Marshals Service reported arrests for obstructing operations, according to the Times.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2025
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During the Paramount protest, at least one protester was injured, witnesses reported.—
Rachel Uranga,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Aid distributed inside Israeli military zones Gaza’s roughly 2 million Palestinians are almost completely reliant on international aid because nearly all food production capabilities have been destroyed.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
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The first move for a mistrial from Combs’ legal team occurred at the end of May, after prosecutors asked Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigator Lance Jimenez if fingerprint evidence related to the bombing of Kid Cudi's car had been destroyed.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Her older brother, a successful economist, and her sister, a government lawyer, have repeatedly warned her that her outspokenness could damage not only her career but theirs.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2025
Verb
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In 2012, Texas Wesleyan went to the city’s historic and cultural landmarks commission seeking permission to demolish the home for further campus expansion, but were denied.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
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Goldschmidt has demolished the NL Central in his career, with a slash line of .291/.388/.527 in almost 550 games played.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Verb
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However, relatively decent growth fueled by Putin's record military spending has been marred by inflation and a worker shortage impacted by those fleeing the draft and troop losses in Ukraine as experts warn of longer terms problems for the economy.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
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Lynch’s first winter as CEO was marred by long lift lines and employee shortages driven by COVID-19.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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But Foxx lamented how the producer ruined his legacy after being arrested in Manhattan last September following a grand jury indictment.—
Mekishana Pierre Published,
EW.com,
3 June 2025
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The relationship between Ludovico and Silvia sparked deadly resentment—Ludovico feared Giorgio might expose the affair and ruin his reputation.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
3 June 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 12 Jun. 2025.
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