deface

What does “deface” mean?

verb.to spoil the surface or appearance of (something).

SAT Usage

this verb is often found in passages discussing art, vandalism, or social issues, emphasizing the deliberate act of damaging or ruining something valuable or beautiful. It suggests a sense of malice or disregard for the original form, distinguishing it from words like "mar," which can imply minor damage without the same connotation of intentionality.

Common Confusions

Deface implies a deliberate act of damaging something valuable, while mar usually suggests minor or superficial damage without the same level of intentionality or malice.

Example Sentences

• Someone defaced the mural with spray paint overnight.

• He defaced the I.O.U. notes by scrawling "void" over them.

• The committee needed to deface the proposal before making a final decision.

Word Parts: How to Remember “deface”

Break “deface” into its parts: de- (down, away, un-). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: de- down, away, un- (Latin)