deface

/dɪˈfeɪs/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈfeɪs/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈfās dē-/ (ame, mw)

deface — verb

  • defacepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • defaceshe / she / it
  • defacedpast simple
  • defacing-ing form

1. to intentionally ruin how a surface or object looks by making marks, writing wor

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to intentionally ruin how a surface or object looks by making marks, writing words, or drawing pictures on it

例句

A group of teenagers defaced the school gym wall by spray-painting their names across it during the night.

defaced + by spray-painting — method of damaging

Someone defaced Mei-Lin's cookbook by drawing ballpoint scribbles across several of its pages.

defaced + by drawing — indicates how the damage was done

同義詞
  • vandalize

    broader meaning that includes breaking, destroying, or damaging property; deface is more specific to surface marking

  • disfigure

    focuses on making something ugly or misshapen; can apply to people or objects, while deface is mostly for objects and surfaces

  • mar

    more formal and general; can describe any kind of damage or flaw, not just writing or drawing

  • spoil

    very general word for making something less good; does not carry the specific idea of marking a surface

反義詞
  • decorate

    adding marks or designs with the intention of improving appearance, not ruining it

  • restore

    returning something to its original good condition after damage

文法句型

deface something

deface something with something

be defaced by someone

deface something by doing something

用法筆記

Frequently used in passive constructions (be defaced). The method of damage is often given with a by-phrase (by drawing, by scratching, by spray-painting) or the material used with a with-phrase (with ink, with paint, with graffiti). Usually implies deliberate human action, not accidental or natural damage.

常見錯誤

❌The old bridge was defaced by storms and heavy rain.
✅The old bridge was damaged by storms and heavy rain.
💡deface refers specifically to deliberate marking or drawing by people, not damage from weather or natural causes.
❌She defaced her notebook with study notes.
✅She covered her notebook with study notes.
💡deface implies ruining something's appearance; adding useful notes is not the same.