Efface — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /i-ˈfās/ ef·face

Meaning & Definition of Efface

Efface (verb)

  1. to eliminate or make indistinct by or as if by wearing away a surface; also, to cause to vanish
  2. to make (oneself) modestly or shyly inconspicuous

Efface (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to destroy all traces of

    "when the supply ship finally arrived, it discovered that virtually all evidence of the colony at Roanoke had been effaced"

    similar: abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel, clean (up), eradicate, erase, expunge, exterminate, extirpate, liquidate, obliterate, root (out), rub out, snuff (out), stamp (out), sweep (away), wipe out
    related: decimate, demolish, destroy, devastate, ravage, dismantle, flatten, mow (down), raze, tear down, ruin, total, waste, wreck, blast, blow up, dash, dynamite, smash, atomize, consume, devour, dissolve, fragment, powder, pulverize, shatter, splinter, doom, finish, kill, kill off, terminate, zap, cut, discard, ditch, eject, excise, expel, jettison, oust, throw out
    near: conserve, preserve, protect, save, build, construct, create, fabricate, fashion, forge, form, frame, make, manufacture, shape, fix, mend, patch, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, renew, renovate, repair, restore, revamp

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Efface

The most common words with a similar meaning to Efface:

abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel, clean (up), eradicate, erase, expunge, exterminate, extirpate, liquidate, obliterate, root (out), rub out, snuff (out), stamp (out), sweep (away), wipe out

Related Words for Efface

decimate, demolish, destroy, devastate, ravage, dismantle, flatten, mow (down), raze, tear down, ruin, total, waste, wreck, blast, blow up, dash, dynamite, smash, atomize, consume, devour, dissolve, fragment, powder, pulverize, shatter, splinter, doom, finish

Near Antonyms of Efface

conserve, preserve, protect, save, build, construct, create, fabricate, fashion, forge, form, frame, make, manufacture, shape, fix, mend, patch, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, renew, renovate, repair, restore, revamp

Word Forms of Efface

Inflections: effaced, effacing

Derived words: effaceable (adjective), effacer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Efface

Middle English, from Anglo-French esfacer, effacer, from e- + face face

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Efface

What does "Efface" mean?

"Efface" means to eliminate or make indistinct by or as if by wearing away a surface; also, to cause to vanish. As a verb, it is defined as: to eliminate or make indistinct by or as if by wearing away a surface; also, to cause to vanish.

What is another word for "Efface"?

Other words for "Efface" include abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel, clean (up), eradicate and erase. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Efface" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Efface"?

There are 62 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Efface". Common alternatives include abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel, clean (up), eradicate, erase, expunge and exterminate.

How do you use "Efface" in a sentence?

Examples of "Efface" in a sentence: "when the supply ship finally arrived, it discovered that virtually all evidence of the colony at Roanoke had been effaced".

Is "Efface" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Efface" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Efface"?

"Efface" is pronounced /i-ˈfās/ and divided into syllables as ef·face.

What is the origin of the word "Efface"?

"Efface" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French esfacer, effacer, from e- + face face. First known use: 15th century.

What is another word for "Efface" meaning "to destroy all traces of"?

When "Efface" (verb) means to destroy all traces of, synonyms include abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel and clean (up).