defile

What does “defile” mean?

verb.to sully, mar, or spoil.

SAT Usage

this verb is often used in contexts related to environmental degradation, moral corruption, or the tarnishing of reputations. It emphasizes a deliberate act of damage or desecration, distinguishing it from similar words like "damage," which may not imply intent or moral implications.

Common Confusions

Defile implies a deliberate act of tarnishing or corrupting, while damage usually suggests an unintentional or general harm without moral implications.

Example Sentences

• They refused to let politics defile the sacred memorial.

• The serial rapist kidnapped and defiled a six-year-old girl.

• It is wrong to defile a sacred place for profit.

Word Parts: How to Remember “defile”

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

• Prefix: de- down, away, un- (Latin)