DEFACEMENTS Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words

deface 1 of 2

verb

di-ˈfās

Definition of deface

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

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

defacement

2 of 2

noun

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 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

Verb

No patriots so defaced America as those who, in the name of Americanism, launched a witch hunt that became a byword around the world. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 Trump, in one of his Truth Social posts, cited laws against defacing monuments as grounds for imprisoning anyone harming the pool. — Nathan Ellgren, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

Noun

Regardless, following the Roonstrasse defacement, a wave of additional antisemitic vandalism spread throughout West Germany and other places, including the United States. — Daniela R. P. Weiner, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026 This can include denial-of-service attacks, in which hackers try to jam a network so legitimate users cannot use it, and website defacements, which can prevent a company from communicating with customers. — ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deface

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deface

Verb

Today, it's fenced off and closed to the public, with windows that have been vandalized and boarded up.

— James Taylor, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Someone had apparently vandalized Altman's Wikipedia page, claiming he was assassinated in Seattle.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of vandalize

Verb

While no civilians were injured, one firefighter was taken away for treatment of smoke inhalation and is in stable condition.

— Nathalie Marie Palacios, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
In Russian attacks elsewhere, local officials said that one person was killed and 15 people injured in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of injure

Verb

The Inwood Fire Department said dozens of cabanas were damaged or destroyed at the Sun and Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
In Solomianskyi district, the top two floors of a 9-story residential building were destroyed and fires broke out on other floors.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

Hundreds of buildings — hotels, apartment blocks, mixed-use structures — collapsed or were damaged beyond repair.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
If Chinese inventories become one of the last lines of defense against damaging global price spikes, Beijing may come to occupy a comparable position.

— Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of damage

Verb

Meanwhile, a Russian missile strike on a village in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region killed at least 10 people and wounded eight others as the barrage demolished homes, officials said Tuesday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Next steps for the Excelsior Club The site was demolished in July after engineering assessments determined the building was unsalvageable.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of demolish

Verb

The firm, backed by SoftBank and Goldman Sachs, was marred by employees who pointed to Garg’s reputation for being a brash leader.

— Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Some cautioned that a prolonged war, especially one marred by a steady stream of American casualties and little visible progress, could eventually weigh on recruiting at the margins.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of mar

Verb

Refineries in Russia, a major exporter of fuel, have been crippled by drone attacks from Ukraine.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Donalds is a full-bore supporter of the destructive homestead exemption proposal known as Amendment 3 that would cripple local government.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of cripple

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Style

“Deface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deface. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of deface

verb

noun

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