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
Meanwhile, staffers were difficult to retain following incidents of shoplifting, harassment, vandalism and an arson that caused upward of $500,000 in damage in 2022.
—
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 26 Feb. 2026
Sparks said the district should not tolerate vandalism, bullying or disruptions, but said students have a right to protest.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2026
In addition, Cardona was convicted of arson of an inhabited structure with a special circumstance that the arson caused great bodily injury to more than one victim, as well as two counts of vandalism for damage to two residences.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
The vandalism was discovered outside a Strategic Response Group unit’s headquarters on Coney Island Ave.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vandalism
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Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 26 Feb. 2026
Sparks said the district should not tolerate vandalism, bullying or disruptions, but said students have a right to protest.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2026
In addition, Cardona was convicted of arson of an inhabited structure with a special circumstance that the arson caused great bodily injury to more than one victim, as well as two counts of vandalism for damage to two residences.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
The vandalism was discovered outside a Strategic Response Group unit’s headquarters on Coney Island Ave.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vandalism
Cite this Entry
“Vandalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vandalism. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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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