defacing
Ruining with marks
Defacing is damaging or marring the surface or appearance of something, especially by writing, scratching, or marking it: Someone defaced the monument with spray paint.
The term often applies to vandalism of public property, artwork, or documents.
To deface currency or official records may be illegal.
The word implies deliberate disfigurement rather than accidental damage.
Illegal surface markings
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- spraypaintPressurized pigment in cans
- scrawlCareless, illegible writing
- scribbleWrite without care
desecration · defilement · disfigure · blemish · scar · mar · sully · tarnish
Superficial wound or mark
- gougeConcave carving blade
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- scuffSurface scrape or scratch
- tearTo pull apart
erosion · corrosion · deterioration · degradation · impairment · distortion · ruin · spoilage
Violating something sacred
- sacrilegeViolation of the hallowed
- blasphemyIrreverence toward the sacred
- profanityVulgar or obscene speech
- irreverenceDisregard for what's honored
contempt · mockery · derision · insult · denigration · disparagement · disesteem · dishonor
Willful property damage
- misdemeanorLesser criminal charge
- trespassingUnauthorized presence on property
- property damageHarm to possessions
- felonySerious criminal offense
prosecution · arrest · fine · restitution · criminal mischief · hate crime · penalty · charge
Three-dimensional sculpted likenesses
- memorialsTributes to the departed
- tombstonesMemorial stones over graves
- gravestonesBurial site markers
- plaquesCommemorative mounted inscriptions
landmarks · historical sites · public art · sculptures · heritage sites · cenotaphs · war memorials · headstones
graffiti
Illegal surface markings
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- spraypaintPressurized pigment in cans
- scrawlCareless, illegible writing
scribble · desecration · defilement · disfigure · blemish · scar · mar · sully · tarnish · vandal
scratch
Superficial wound or mark
tear · erosion · corrosion · deterioration · degradation · impairment · distortion · ruin · spoilage · wear
desecration
Violating something sacred
- sacrilegeViolation of the hallowed
- blasphemyIrreverence toward the sacred
- profanityVulgar or obscene speech
irreverence · contempt · mockery · derision · insult · denigration · disparagement · disesteem · dishonor · debasement
vandalism
Willful property damage
- misdemeanorLesser criminal charge
- trespassingUnauthorized presence on property
- property damageHarm to possessions
felony · prosecution · arrest · fine · restitution · criminal mischief · hate crime · penalty · charge · offense
statues
Three-dimensional sculpted likenesses
- memorialsTributes to the departed
- tombstonesMemorial stones over graves
- gravestonesBurial site markers
plaques · landmarks · historical sites · public art · sculptures · heritage sites · cenotaphs · war memorials · headstones · facades
- vandalismvandalism, tagging, graffiti tags, graffiti, property damage
- sacrilegeblasphemy, desecration, profanation, idol worship, idolatry
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- bodily harmhurt, injure, wound, harm, injuries
defacingbeautifying
Making more attractive
adorning · decorating · embellishing · ornamenting · enhancing
defacingrestoring
Returning to original condition
repairing · preserving · fixing · conserving · refurbishing
defacinghonoring
Recognizing with respect
venerating · respecting · revering · sanctifying · enshrining
face, surface, facing, facial, deface, efface, defaced, defacement, defaces