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Definition of defacement

defacement

/dɪˈfeɪs.mənt/
de · face · ment
Plural:defacements
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defacement Lexical Profile

defacement Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The act of spoiling, damaging, or marring the surface or appearance of something, such as a building, monument, or webpage.

Example

"The city council installed security cameras in the park to deter the defacement of public statues."

2

A mark, blemish, or alteration that spoils the appearance of a surface.

Example

"Conservators worked carefully to remove the ink defacements from the margins of the medieval manuscript."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for defacement

• Nearby Words

deet
def
deface
defacement
defacer
defamation
defamatory

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 16th century from the verb 'deface' (from Old French 'desfacier', meaning to mar or destroy the appearance of, from 'des-' and 'face') plus the noun-forming suffix '-ment'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Defacement. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/defacement
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