defile

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A soldier who requested anonymity explained to AFP that since then the body had been guarded around the clock "so that rival groups do not defile him."

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

Some Parisians backed the move, but others - including heritage campaigners - said it was a bad idea and would "defile" the French capital's iconic monument.

From BBC • Sep. 2, 2024

“But we continue with the tradition of protecting the forest because our ancestors have told us not to defile the forest.”

From Seattle Times • Jan. 17, 2024

“I don’t want to send any signal that it was okay to defile our Capitol,” he said.

From Washington Post • Jan. 30, 2022

A fierce man had burst into the room and shouted, How dare you defile this house?

From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer