disfigure
Translation
to spoil the appearance of, to mar, to deface
Examples
The acid badly disfigured his face.
The acid badly disfigured his face.
The new motorway disfigured the landscape.
The new freeway disfigured the landscape.
Grammar Patterns
to disfigure ((sth./sb.)) to spoil the appearance of (sth./sb.) The graffiti disfigured the ancient monument.
Similar Words
Synonyms: mar, spoil, deface, deform; Antonyms: beautify, adorn, enhance
Etymology
From the prefix 'dis-' (expressing reversal) + 'figure' (shape, form). To spoil the figure or shape of something.
Memory Tips
Think 'dis-figure': to ruin the figure (shape or appearance) of something or someone.