vandalism
noun
van·dal·ism
ˈvan-də-ˌli-zəm 
: willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property
Examples of vandalism in a Sentence
acts of theft and vandalism
He was arrested for vandalism.
Recent Examples on the Web
That massacre followed a wave of antisemitic attacks in Australian cities – arson and vandalism against Jewish sites and property, particularly in the wake of Israel’s war in Gaza.
—
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025
Last year, assaults, acts of vandalism, threats, and intimidation surged in Sydney and Melbourne, which is home to 85 percent of the country’s Jewish population, The Associated Press reported.
—Lee Ann Anderson, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
Hernandez was booked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon and felony vandalism.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
While the Jewish community has flourished in Sydney, antisemitic graffiti and vandalism of cars, cemeteries, and places of worship have been on the rise, especially since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vandalism
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Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025
Last year, assaults, acts of vandalism, threats, and intimidation surged in Sydney and Melbourne, which is home to 85 percent of the country’s Jewish population, The Associated Press reported.
—Lee Ann Anderson, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
Hernandez was booked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon and felony vandalism.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
While the Jewish community has flourished in Sydney, antisemitic graffiti and vandalism of cars, cemeteries, and places of worship have been on the rise, especially since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vandalism
Cite this Entry
“Vandalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vandalism. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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