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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deface
Police also discovered that the children slept in cribs and defaced monsters and dolls were also found in their rooms, per El Mundo.
—
Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 1 May 2025
As protests against Elon Musk's Tesla brand are sweeping the United States, one California man's sense of security is left shaken after a masked suspect was caught on camera defacing his family’s Tesla Cybertruck in the driveway of their home last weekend.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025
The Memphis Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that Zachary Liberto, 30, was arrested following a verbal altercation with the priest about defacing the baptismal pool inside the church.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025
That same day vandals broke windows and defaced a dealership in the San Diego area with swastikas and slogans.
—Minho Kim, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 1 May 2025
As protests against Elon Musk's Tesla brand are sweeping the United States, one California man's sense of security is left shaken after a masked suspect was caught on camera defacing his family’s Tesla Cybertruck in the driveway of their home last weekend.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025
The Memphis Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that Zachary Liberto, 30, was arrested following a verbal altercation with the priest about defacing the baptismal pool inside the church.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025
That same day vandals broke windows and defaced a dealership in the San Diego area with swastikas and slogans.
—Minho Kim, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deface
Verb
-
If people couldn’t pay the crippling fines for excess births—up to many times a family’s annual income—officials would vandalize their homes, knocking down roofs and doors, and confiscate furniture, cattle, and pigs.—
Barbara Demick,
New Yorker,
23 May 2025
-
Nazis set fire to synagogues — including the one attended by Lowell and her family — and vandalized thousands of Jewish homes and businesses, igniting a wave of violence that killed nearly 100 Jews and led to the arrests and deportations of thousands more.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
The woman also was seriously injured in the crash and was taken to a hospital by ambulance.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 May 2025
-
At least 12 people were killed and dozens injured in the attacks.—
Jackie Northam,
NPR,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
During the week of my embed, the Russian military identified and destroyed a few of the Vampire pilots’ positions.—
Nataliya Gumenyuk,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2025
-
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea from a group of Native American activists and supporters to block a copper mining company from destroying an Apache religious site.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
No one was hurt but the Toyota 4Runner the men were inside and another vehicle were damaged.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
-
In addition to direct contact, Toxoplasma may also damage sperm because the infection promotes chronic inflammation.—
Bill Sullivan,
The Conversation,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
Its current office building in the area would be demolished.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2025
-
Facing greater competition and sensing more opportunity, the owners decided to close the hotel at the end of May and demolish the building next year.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2025
-
Thessaloniki, Greece Greece is an iconic travel destination with ancient history, ruins steeped in lore, and picture-perfect Mediterranean beaches.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share