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
The massive displacement of people has created further pressures as some have sought temporary shelter inside archeological sites, with some instances of vandalism and graffiti on temple walls.
—
Eissa Dafallah, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
Initially, Wikipedia editors uncovered evidence that the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that oversees the online encyclopedia, seemed to be fending off a vandalism attempt.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 5 Mar. 2026
Mousa is charged with two counts of felony vandalism with hate crime enhancements, two counts of felony vandalism of a place of worship with hate crime enhancements, felony placement of a swastika and one misdemeanor vandalism count.
—Bay City News Service, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Sadat Mousa, was booked on suspicion of felony vandalism with a hate crime enhancement.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vandalism
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Eissa Dafallah, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
Initially, Wikipedia editors uncovered evidence that the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that oversees the online encyclopedia, seemed to be fending off a vandalism attempt.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 5 Mar. 2026
Mousa is charged with two counts of felony vandalism with hate crime enhancements, two counts of felony vandalism of a place of worship with hate crime enhancements, felony placement of a swastika and one misdemeanor vandalism count.
—Bay City News Service, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Sadat Mousa, was booked on suspicion of felony vandalism with a hate crime enhancement.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 4 Mar. 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 14 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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