e
fface
Third Person
effaces
Present Participle
effacing
Past Tense
effaced
Past Participle
effaced
1
to remove something, often by rubbing or gentle wiping
transitive
- The artist decided to efface the pencil sketch and start the drawing anew.
- Using an eraser, she carefully effaced the incorrect answer from the paper.
- The gentle cleaning solution helped efface the stains from the delicate fabric.
- The historian regretted the attempt to efface certain inscriptions on the ancient monument.
- A soft cloth and cleaning solution were used to efface the smudges from the glass surface.
2
to completely erase or remove a memory or feeling from the mind
transitive
- Time gradually effaced the pain of her loss.
- The joyful moments helped efface the sadness she had felt for years.
- He tried to efface the embarrassing memory, but it lingered in his mind.
- Therapy helped her efface the guilt that had weighed on her for so long.
- The beautiful scenery seemed to efface all thoughts of worry and stress.
Synonyms:
3
to deliberately make oneself less noticeable
transitive
- She tried to efface herself at the party, standing quietly in a corner.
- He effaced himself during the meeting, letting others take the spotlight.
- The shy student effaced herself in class, avoiding eye contact with the teacher.
- He effaced himself in the group, preferring to listen rather than speak.
- She effaced herself in the conversation, letting others dominate the discussion.