Deface

Quick meaning: Deface is a verb meaning To damage or vandalize something, especially a surface, in a visible or conspicuous manner.

Meaning

To damage or vandalize something, especially a surface, in a visible or conspicuous manner.

More Meanings

1. To void or devalue; to nullify or degrade the face value of.
2. (heraldry, flags) To alter a coat of arms or a flag by adding an element to it.

Example Sentences

He defaced the I.O.U. notes by scrawling "void" over them.

After the painting was defaced a decade ago, it went viral and has been a tourist attraction ever since.

You get the Finnish state flag by defacing the national flag with the state coat of arms placed in the middle of the cross.

1869: George Eliot, The Legend of Jubal That wondrous frame where melody began / Lay as a tomb defaced that no eye cared to scan.

Word Forms

• defaces
• defacing
• defaced

Synonyms for deface

Depending on context, synonyms include disfigure, mar, obliterate, scar, vandalize, cancel.

Antonyms for deface

Common opposites include beautify, fix, rectify.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include disfigure, blemish, mar, spoil, defile, downface.

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