defacement

/dɪˈfeɪsmənt/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈfeɪsmənt/ (ame, ipa) · /-smənt/ (ame, mw)

defacement — noun

1. the act of spoiling how a wall, sign, statue, or other object looks — for exampl

1.名詞C1
釋義

the act of spoiling how a wall, sign, statue, or other object looks — for example by spraying paint across its surface, scratching marks into it, or covering it with unwanted writing.

例句

Police are investigating the defacement of three war memorials in central Salma's hometown.

pattern: defacement of [noun] (formal news register)

The museum closed after the defacement of a famous painting with red spray paint.

collocation: defacement of [artwork] by [method]

同義詞
  • vandalism

    broader — covers any deliberate damage to property, not just to its surface or appearance.

  • graffiti

    specifically unauthorised writing or drawing on surfaces; one common method of defacement.

  • disfigurement

    stronger — implies lasting damage to the form or identity of something, often a face or sculpture.

反義詞
  • restoration

    the act of returning a damaged surface or object to its original condition.

  • preservation

    keeping something in good condition so that no defacement or decay occurs.

文法句型

defacement of [noun]

用法筆記

Frequently uncountable when referring to the act in general ("vandalism and defacement"), but countable when listing specific incidents ("three defacements last month"). Subject is typically a property, monument, sign, or artwork; the agent is often left unstated or introduced with 'by'.

常見錯誤

❌He did a defacement on the wall.
✅He defaced the wall.
💡for the action itself, use the verb 'deface'; 'defacement' is the noun describing the result or the abstract act, usually in formal or legal contexts.
❌The defacement was on the painting.
✅The defacement of the painting shocked visitors.
💡'defacement' normally takes 'of + the damaged object', not 'on'.