Definition

An act of damaging or ruining the appearance of something, often by marking or altering it in a way that makes it less attractive or valuable.

Example

The defacement of the historic monument upset many members of the community.

Conversation

Did you hear about the defacement of that famous mural downtown?

Yeah, it's such a shame to see art getting ruined like that.

I know! It really takes away from the beauty of the city.

Absolutely, we should be doing more to protect public art.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Defacement → It is formed from "de-" (meaning down or away) and "facere" (meaning to make or do). The word describes the act of making something less attractive or damaging its appearance.

Memory Tip

Think of 'making down' or 'removing' ('de-') the beauty or appearance of something ('facere'). This helps you remember that defacement means to damage or ruin the appearance.

Visually Confused Words