deface

American

[dih-feys] / dɪˈfeɪs /

verb (used with object)

defaced, defacing

to mar the surface or appearance of; disfigure.

to deface a wall by writing on it.

Synonyms:

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

to deface a bond.

deface British

/ dɪˈfeɪs /

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See mar.

Other Word Forms

defaceable adjective
defacement noun
defacer noun
undefaceable adjective
undefaced adjective

Etymology

Origin of deface

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A mural of Rashford, who led a campaign against the government's plans to scrap free school meals out of term time, was defaced in south Manchester following the final.

From BBC

Cars, walls and postboxes were defaced, sometimes with swastikas, they said in a statement.

From BBC

An Australian teenager has faced court for allegedly defacing a large blue sculpture of a mythical creature by sticking googly eyes on it.

From BBC

In County Tyrone, there is a Prince Andrew Crescent in Moygashel - the sign for which has been defaced in the past.

From BBC

After being barred from running, Morales urged supporters to deface their ballots and pledged to make a comeback.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023