VANDALISM Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

vandalism

noun

ˈvan-də-ˌli-zəm

Definition of vandalism

as in vandalization

deliberate damaging or destroying of another's property anyone guilty of vandalism to university property will be expelled

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of vandalism The cameras have been used in partnership with the Oconomowoc Police Department and Waukesha County Sheriff's Department to investigate theft, vandalism and other unlawful activities. — Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2026 After paying restitution close to the value of the vandalism, the case was dismissed. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026 Lopes was accused of attacking and killing Chesna while he was being arrested for vandalism and erratic driving. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026 The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged the man with felony vandalism and felony evasion of a police officer, according to court records. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vandalism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vandalism

Noun

Riverside has both a community center named for Chavez and a bronze statue — often the target of vandalization — on the Main Street pedestrian mall in the city’s downtown.

— Ryan Carter, Daily News, 19 Mar. 2026
Police said officers from the 116th Precinct had been alerted to the vandalization in the neighborhood and found 11 different police vehicles, both marked and unmarked, with damage.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Definition of vandalization

Noun

Counsel argued that seizing the ballots was necessary to preserve potential evidence before statutory destruction deadlines and to compare the total number of ballots with official vote records.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
The investigation into Israel’s mass killing of civilians in Gaza was shot at night on rooftops in Tel Aviv where the filmmakers interviewed Israeli military intelligence officers and soldiers about destruction and loss of life.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of destruction

Noun

Prosecutors concluded that widespread damage to the pool’s blue lining stemmed from construction problems after investigators were unable to find any evidence of intentional defacement.

— Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Livestock theft, arson and the defacement of mosques are routinely reported.

— Majdi Mohammed, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of defacement

Browse Nearby Words

vandal

vandalism

vandalization

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“Vandalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vandalism. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of vandalism

noun

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