vandal

van·dal

noun \ˈvan-d^əl\

Definition of VANDAL

1

capitalized : a member of a Germanic people who lived in the area south of the Baltic Sea between the Vistula and the Oder rivers, overran Gaul, Spain, and northern Africa in the fourth and fifth centuries a.d. , and in 455 sacked Rome

2

: one who willfully or ignorantly destroys, damages, or defaces property belonging to another or to the public

— vandal adjective often capitalized

— Van·dal·ic \van-ˈda-lik\ adjective

Examples of VANDAL

1. Vandals defaced the school's walls.
2. <a group of vandals broke into the school and painted graffiti on the walls>

Origin of VANDAL

Latin Vandalii (plural), of Germanic origin

First Known Use: 1530

Related to VANDAL

Synonyms: defacer

Related Words: graffitist, tagger; demolisher, desecrater (or desecrator), despoiler, destroyer, ravager, ruiner, saboteur, waster, wrecker; depredator, looter, marauder, pillager, plunderer, ransacker, sacker, spoiler, spoliator

Near Antonyms: conserver, preserver, protector, saver; conservator, preservationist

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Rhymes with VANDAL

candle, dandle, Handel, handle, sandal, scandal