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View synonyms for deface

deface

[ dih-feys ]

verb (used with object)

, de·faced, de·fac·ing.
  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


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Derived Forms

  • deˈfacer, noun
  • deˈfacement, noun
  • deˈfaceable, adjective

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Other Words From

  • de·facea·ble adjective
  • de·facement noun
  • de·facer noun
  • unde·facea·ble adjective
  • unde·faced adjective

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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)

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Synonym Study

See mar.

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Example Sentences

After sneaking in under the cover of night, the vandals chose these symbols to deface.

It was as if Romney had lit his résumé on fire, and had returned to Boston to deface his gubernatorial portrait.

I am famous practise; for there is scarcely a day when I do not deface God's noblest work for others, or they for me.

Even the necessary filth of commerce cannot destroy, or scarcely deface the beauty of the country.

They are the last we shall give to show the extreme wildness and extravagance which deface the drama of Festus.

Nor was I willing to deface the pages of the work with explanatory notes.

In the sultry season of 1783, honey-dews were so frequent as to deface and destroy the beauties of my garden.

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