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
Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025
Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2026
Over just two days, 30 people were arrested for vandalizing the mall.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vandalization
Noun
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
Verb
The mayor of Keller, whose city has been actively helping with immigration enforcement since last summer, said someone vandalized a relative’s business with a four-letter slur against ICE.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2026
Over just two days, 30 people were arrested for vandalizing the mall.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vandalization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vandalization
Noun
-
Another of Sanadze’s ideas intersects with her longstanding quest to collect newspaper articles documenting antisemitism in Australia, including reports of vandalism and an arson attack on her local synagogue.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Local officials and community members are condemning the antisemitic vandalism.—
Naomi Ruchim,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But the Red Sox destroyed and ended their relationship with their only true power hitter and proven winner for a player who, though an undeniably excellent addition, was here for 117 total games.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
-
In the Pacific Palisades and nearby Malibu, flames burned for 31 days, scorching 37 square miles and destroying more than 6,000 structures, most of them homes.—
Sarah Alegre,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Grok, in fact, generated images of Good wearing a bikini and pictures of her defaced with bullet holes in the days after her death.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Nunez-Romano was also charged with possessing a firearm without a firearm identification card and defacing the serial number of a firearm.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
On Thursday morning, crews were nearly finished demolishing the adjacent structures, one of which was damaged by a fire in March 2024.—
Thomas Gounley,
Denver Post,
23 Jan. 2026
-
What’s certain is that the 50-year-old Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel near the Country Club Plaza will soon be demolished.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The third-grade children were traveling back to Yeshivat Noam Jewish day school in Paramus after a class trip to the Liberty Science Center when a large rock smashed through the bus window, the school previously told Fox News Digital.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Masked thieves jumped out and used trash cans, crowbars and hammers to smash every showcase, Ramzy Tabello, the owner, told freelance news videographer OC Hawk.—
Ryanne Mena,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And, from this week’s issue, Nicola Twilley’s reporting on another lingering effect of the wildfires—smoke taint that is ruining grapes and threatening California’s wine industry.—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
-
This will either change your life or ruin you.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In October 2025, Beckerink pleaded no contest to domestic violence charges in connection to two incidents at Tracey's home in New Buffalo, Michigan, as well as one count of contempt for violating his bond, and was sentenced to 93 days in jail.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The lawsuit argues the freeze violated federal law, including the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional limits on executive power and how Congress appropriates funds.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some government offices and financial institutions were damaged during the unrest, residents said, while merchants reported being ordered to reopen businesses despite ongoing security operations.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The gunfire damaged the car’s rear end, trunk, tail light and rear window louver, according to court documents.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vandalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vandalization. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
