deface

[dih-feys]

verb (used with object)

defaced, defacing 

1. to mar the surface or appearance of; disfigure.

   to deface a wall by writing on it.

   Synonyms: spoil

2. to efface, obliterate, or injure the surface of, as to make illegible or invalid.

   to deface a bond.

deface

/ dɪˈfeɪs /

verb

1. (tr) to spoil or mar the surface, legibility, or appearance of; disfigure

Other Word Forms

• defaceable adjective
• defacement noun
• defacer noun
• undefaceable adjective
• undefaced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deface¹

1275–1325; Middle English defacen, from Old French desfacier, equivalent to des- dis- ¹ + facier ( face face + -ier infinitive suffix)

Synonym Study

See mar.

Example Sentences

But his tombstone was defaced on Thursday morning, local authorities said.

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This isn't the first instance of Gandhi's statue being defaced in the UK.

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Mr Kyle, who became Business and Trade Secretary in Friday's reshuffle, said: "I'm really disappointed that the heritage wall has been defaced over this issue. Hove is better than this."

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"In France, not a day passes without Jews assaulted in the street, synagogues or schools defaced, or Jewish-owned businesses vandalized. Your own Interior Ministry has reported antisemitic incidents even at preschools."

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He even intends to deface the entire White House complex with a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, Versailles as reimagined by Tony Soprano.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• demolish 
• obliterate 
• vandalize