deface

verb

de·​face di-ˈfās How to pronounce deface (audio)
dē-
defaced; defacing; defaces

transitive verb

1
: to mar the appearance of : injure by effacing significant details
deface an inscription
2
: impair
3
obsolete : destroy
defacement noun
defacer noun

Examples of deface in a Sentence

The building was defaced with graffiti. He was fined for defacing public property.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Anti-Black slogans and swastikas defaced a Jewish center, a church, a school and a freeway underpass in 1961. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025 In Sydney, a synagogue was defaced with red swastikas spray painted along the fence, while a day care center was torched and scrawled with antisemitic slurs under the cover of night. Victoria Kim, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 Two climate protesters defaced Charles Darwin’s grave at London’s Westminster Abbey on Monday, spray painting a pointed message about global warming that has led to criminal charges. Leslie Katz, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 The grave of British naturalist Charles Darwin was defaced by climate activists from the Just Stop Oil group at London’s Westminster Abbey. Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for deface 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French *desfacer, *deffacer, from des- de- + face front, face

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deface was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near deface

Cite this Entry

“Deface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deface. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

deface

verb
de·​face di-ˈfās How to pronounce deface (audio)
: to destroy or damage the face or surface of
defacement noun
defacer noun

Legal Definition

deface

transitive verb
de·​face di-ˈfās How to pronounce deface (audio)
defaced; defacing
: to destroy or mar the face or surface of
defacement noun
defacer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on deface

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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