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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of deface
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
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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Fox 11 reported that the woman was vandalizing a Porsche SUV and damaged the windshield when she was arrested.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Since the moment Ben got injured in 2019, our chances of being a true Super Bowl contender have been low.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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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
Verb
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Kanye West fired multiple PR firms before his antisemitic meltdowns destroyed billion-dollar partnerships with Adidas and Gap.—
Lilian Raji,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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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
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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Thirteen years after the nursing home shut down, a developer is proposing to demolish the vacant building and put up 160 apartments.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
18 June 2025
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The city intended to demolish the building and turn it into a parking lot.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
16 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
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 1 Jul. 2025.
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