defile

verb
UK: /dɪˈfaɪl/
US: /dɪˈfaɪl/

  1. To make something dirty or impure, especially something respected.

    1. Don't defile this place with bad words
    2. Graffiti can defile the beauty of old buildings in our city

  2. To spoil something that is highly valued or respected.

    1. They defile our flag when burn it.
    2. Vandalism can defile a monument's historical significance to some extent.

Synonyms

pollute contaminate violate desecrate
defile transitive-verb

  1. To make someone or something sexually unclean or impure.

    1. The villain defiled her character and life.
    2. He was accused of defiling the young woman during the investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "defile" in English means: To make something dirty or impure, especially something respected., To spoil something that is highly valued or respected..

The phonetic transcription of "defile" is /dɪˈfaɪl/ in British English and /dɪˈfaɪl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "defile": pollute, contaminate, violate, desecrate.

Example usage of "defile": "Don't defile this place with bad words". More examples on the page.