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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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 Saturday, many customers came in specifically because of the vandalism. — Olivia Young, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 And the department has also seen several high-profile cases unravel recently, including dropping vandalism charges against a former Olympic canoeist and others over the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. — Npr Staff, NPR, 8 Aug. 2026 Frustration has boiled over into vandalism in some locations. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026 The machines were removed in the 1970s due to maintenance difficulties and vandalism, Desjarlais said. — Anne Kadet, Curbed, 7 Aug. 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

Since October 2023, the number and severity of settler attacks have skyrocketed, including arson and other destruction of property, the killing of livestock, violent assaults and murder, taking place almost every day.

— Kamel Musallet, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
While the film has long been remembered for ambition, excess, and destruction, Tyga saw another narrative waiting beneath the chaos—a love story.

— Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of destruction

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vandal

vandalism

vandalization

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“Vandalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vandalism. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of vandalism

noun

Example Sentences

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