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
Relevance
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
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
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025
The pressure builds until Eddie has a meltdown in public, shaking and threatening the kids who defaced his car.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 17 Mar. 2025
While organized protests have largely been peaceful, vandals across the country have damaged or defaced Tesla vehicles in recent weeks.
—Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025
In Lynnwood, Washington, six Tesla vehicles were vandalized on March 11, including one that was defaced with swastikas.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Verb
Charging stations have been defaced and burned too, and local Tesla dealerships have been picketed, including this weekend in Burbank.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025
The pressure builds until Eddie has a meltdown in public, shaking and threatening the kids who defaced his car.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 17 Mar. 2025
While organized protests have largely been peaceful, vandals across the country have damaged or defaced Tesla vehicles in recent weeks.
—Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025
In Lynnwood, Washington, six Tesla vehicles were vandalized on March 11, including one that was defaced with swastikas.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deface
Verb
-
Three buildings off Evans Avenue in the Historic Southside neighborhood — including an NAACP office and a predominantly Black church — were vandalized this week.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Multiple Tesla facilities have recently been targeted by perpetrators setting fires to vehicles and vandalizing buildings.—
Michelle Watson,
CNN Money,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Memorial at Florida State University after a fatal shooting killed two people and injured several others.—
Kati Weis,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2025
-
The spill killed 11 people and injured 17 others as 210 million gallons of crude oil were released into the Gulf of Mexico (recently renamed by the U.S. government as Gulf of America) for a total of 87 days.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Tesla arson defendants to face 'full force of law,' AG Bondi says Wagner is the fifth person to face federal charges in connection with the recent spate of vandalism incidents involving Tesla, according to Bondi.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2025
-
President Trump, meanwhile, has labeled Tesla vandalism an act of domestic terrorism and threatened to send perpetrators to an El Salvador prison.—
Emily Forlini,
PC Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
More than half a dozen tornadoes have been confirmed, including one in Marshall County, Oklahoma, that left two homes completely destroyed and damaged about 20 others.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
In Hood County, the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department reported that a home southwest of Tolar was destroyed by a tornado and several others were damaged about 9 p.m. Possible tornadoes also were reported in Jack County and Erath County, according to the National Weather Service.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Arson – To unlawfully and intentionally damage or attempt to damage any real or personal property of another person or entity by fire or incendiary device.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Sudden kicks, jumps, tackles, and awkward leg movements can damage groin muscles.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Purdy put his reporter’s hat back on and dug up that the 38 S. Fifth St. house — which would have sat in the plaza just south of the city council chambers — was demolished after an arson fire damaged it beyond repair.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
-
In Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, residents said the Israeli military demolished more homes in the city, which has all come under Israeli control in the past days in what Israeli leaders said was an expansion of security zones in Gaza to put more pressure on Hamas to release remaining hostages.—
Nidal al-Mughrabi,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
His rookie season was marred by an uneven second half, which was hindered by hand and foot injuries.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Apr. 2025
-
His final collegiate season was marred by a shoulder injury and insufficient QB play, but Loveland still led the Wolverines in receptions (56), receiving yards (582) and receiving TDs (five).—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Justin Champagnie hit a 3-pointer, the Heat had a backcourt violation and then Carrington ruined Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s 40-point game by dropping this dagger on him.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deface. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share