deface

verb

de·​face di-ˈfās How to pronounce deface (audio)
dē-
defaced; defacing; defaces

transitive verb

1
: to mar the appearance of : injure by effacing significant details
deface an inscription
2
: impair
3
obsolete : destroy
defacement noun
defacer noun

Examples of deface in a Sentence

The building was defaced with graffiti. He was fined for defacing public property.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The serial numbers on the AR-15s were defaced, Williams said. Janelle Griffith, NBC News, 17 Sep. 2024 Blue splatters of paint have since come to accompany the mural after it was defaced. Rosa Rahimi, CNN, 28 Nov. 2024 What the 37-year-old rapper is pissed about is that this billboard-sized monument to his greatness was defaced. Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2024 The gun’s serial number was defaced, Oyegoke-Olafimihan said. Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deface 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French *desfacer, *deffacer, from des- de- + face front, face

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deface was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near deface

Cite this Entry

“Deface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deface. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

deface

verb
de·​face di-ˈfās How to pronounce deface (audio)
: to destroy or damage the face or surface of
defacement noun
defacer noun

Legal Definition

deface

transitive verb
de·​face di-ˈfās How to pronounce deface (audio)
defaced; defacing
: to destroy or mar the face or surface of
defacement noun
defacer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on deface

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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