Definition

A person who makes something dirty or unclean, especially in a moral or spiritual sense.

Example

The defiler of the sacred site was punished by the community.

Conversation

Did you hear about that guy who got kicked out of the gallery?

Yeah, they called him a defiler for ruining the artwork.

I can't believe someone would do that to such beautiful pieces.

It's really sad, art deserves respect, not defilement.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Defiler → It is formed from "de-" (meaning down or away) and "filare" (meaning to thread or spin). The word "defiler" means to make something unclean or to corrupt, as if taking something pure and pulling it down from its original state.

Memory Tip

Think of something being 'pulled down' ('de-') from its pure state, which helps you remember that a defiler makes something unclean or corrupt.

Visually Confused Words