vandalism

noun

van·​dal·​ism ˈvan-də-ˌli-zəm 

: willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property

Synonyms

• vandalization
• destruction
• defacement

Examples of vandalism in a Sentence

acts of theft and vandalism

He was arrested for vandalism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Amid a rise in cases of theft and vandalism along Nigerian oil facilities, TotalEnergies was one of a number of oil majors to divest from some Nigerian oil assets over the past year, selling its stake in a field for $510 million to Shell in May. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Then, in 2008, when protests in Lhasa spread nationwide and escalated into vandalism targeting Chinese establishments, the Dalai Lama again intervened. —Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025

Without insurance, their properties were vulnerable to fire or vandalism. —Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025

The woman was arrested by deputies and booked into Las Colinas jail on suspicion of felony vandalism. —Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

vandal + -ism

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

vandalism

noun

van·​dal·​ism ˈvan-dᵊl-ˌiz-əm 

: intentional destruction or damage to property

Legal Definition

vandalism

noun

van·​dal·​ism ˈvand-ᵊl-ˌi-zəm 

: the willful or malicious destruction or defacement of property

insurance covering property damage from vandalism and malicious mischief