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

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

From BBC

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."

From BBC

"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."

From BBC

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

From Salon

In another video, Sweeney defaces an American Eagle billboard that reads “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” crossing out the word “jeans” and replacing it with “genes.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• demolish 
• obliterate 
• vandalize