as in vandalism
deliberate damaging or destroying of another's property
colorizing that classic black-and-white film would be an unforgivable act of cinematic vandalization
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to destroy
to deliberately cause the damage or destruction of another's property
he decided to vandalize the store because the owner had kicked him out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 vandalization
Gerardo Lemos, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
At least two other cities in South Florida have had pride murals vandalized in the same way.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2025
Sixty-six shops and 25 vehicles were vandalized, and some supermarkets and warehouses looted, a presidential statement said.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025
All of the buildings vandalized, except for Villanueva’s office, are near West Cermak Road and South Washtenaw Avenue.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for vandalization
Verb
While the demonstration was largely peaceful and reflected growing anger about inequality in the city, some protesters vandalized stores in wealthier neighborhoods and used anti-immigration language that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized as xenophobic.
—Gerardo Lemos, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
At least two other cities in South Florida have had pride murals vandalized in the same way.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2025
Sixty-six shops and 25 vehicles were vandalized, and some supermarkets and warehouses looted, a presidential statement said.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025
All of the buildings vandalized, except for Villanueva’s office, are near West Cermak Road and South Washtenaw Avenue.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for vandalization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vandalization
Noun
-
The Greenwood vandalism marks the third time a Hindu place of worship has been vandalized so far in the US in 2025, according to the Coalition of Hindus of North America.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The vandalism occurred sometime between 8 p.m. on Monday and 7 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Meriden.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But when our home was destroyed, our studio lost, and the war displaced us to Khanyounis’s tent camps, cooking became less about flavor and more about survival.—
Hamada Shaqoura,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
-
There were 25 diesel buses that were destroyed per the grant regulations, Young said.—
Harley Walls,
Arkansas Online,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Murals depicting solidarity with Palestinians and immigrants were defaced that same month in Pilsen.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
26 July 2025
-
Someone has defaced it with the words BURN IN HELL, either in paint or blood.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
Verb
-
Even an old grain silo near the former Nickel Plate train station raised a few hackles when it was demolished.—
John Tuohy,
IndyStar,
14 Aug. 2025
-
When a building gets demolished, what happens to all that concrete, glass, stone or metal?—
Sydney Franklin,
The Enquirer,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
By then, there were two outs, Jesse Winker was on second and came home on an RBI single by Starling Marte, dramatically smashing his helmet at home plate, punctuating a two-run lead.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Claressa Shields has smashed her way through the current crop of heavyweight contenders and even called out 47-year-old pioneer Laila Ali.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
-
But a sewer backup during this weekend's historic flood ruined 60 of the backpacks, Maya Bell reports.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The idea of making this sort of gesture, at a time when Texas Republicans are violating the spirit of the rules, is understandably hard for Democrats to consider.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Any claim or suggestion that Connecticut has violated or is not in compliance with federal law is false.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Only one public building was damaged in Lincoln, according to Chief of Staff Rhonda Hulse.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Extreme heat in 2023 had damaged the quality of rice, causing an acute shortage last year that was exacerbated by the government’s misreading of supply and demand.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vandalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vandalization. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share