VANDALIZE Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

vandalize

verb

ˈvan-də-ˌlīz

Definition of vandalize

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

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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 vandalize Parton’s star was vandalized shortly after the beloved entertainer was laid to rest following her death at age 80. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 But Martinez, who has worked for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for 39 years, could not recall the country music singer’s star being vandalized before. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Flock cameras have been vandalized in at least 36 states, including incidents in which individuals sawed down the devices and shot at them with guns, NPR reported last month. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 After photos and videos circulated on social media about the country icon’s star being vandalized with her name scratched off, the plaque is being fixed, Entertainment Weekly can confirm. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vandalize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vandalize

Verb

After Israel destroyed Jenin refugee camp during the Second Intifada in 2002, a young girl looked into Mohammad Bakri’s camera and said that Palestinians would live proudly as eagles and die standing like lions.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
That’s because key refineries that produce it have been knocked offline or destroyed, both in Eastern Europe — where the Ukraine-Russia war still rages — and in the Middle East.

— Steve Kopack, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

The building's pine ceilings were in disrepair and its brick walls were damaged, poorly painted, or defaced with graffiti.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
SpaceX now has the dubious honor of being the first company to deface the moon, after a piece of one of its rockets crashed into Earth’s only natural satellite earlier this month.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of deface

Verb

Historical records show that about 500,000 bricks were sold after the convent was demolished, but Langkilde said a complex of its size could easily have contained twice that number.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
The new 191,000-square-foot police station replaces one that was built in 1958 and demolished earlier this year.

— Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of demolish

Verb

Bayern smashed the record for goals in the Bundesliga last season, with 122 in the 34 matches.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Of the 2,977 people who perished on 9/11, 2,753 were lost in the collapse of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center after two hijacked jetliners smashed into them.

— Mike Kelly, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of smash

Verb

Critics say Mullin’s policy is aimed at intimidating voters, will upend longstanding American norms, and violate a law keeping armed forces out of polling places that dates back to the end of the Civil War.

— Michael Loria, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
The lawsuit against Homeland Security claims federal officers exceeded the authority of their warrants and violated workers’ constitutional rights against unlawful search and seizure.

— Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of violate

Verb

Extensive lines backed up at Kauai's primary airport as people tried to leave the island; state officials said the airport was operating on a lone backup generator because a second generator was damaged by the storm.

— GENE JOHNSON, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
The precise composition of ancient Egyptian paints, binders, adhesives, and similar materials used to make artifacts is largely unknown, in part because a full analysis would require taking samples that would damage those valuable artifacts.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of damage

Verb

Instead, seal them in a dark plastic bag and bake them in direct sun for a few weeks to kill all seeds and roots before trashing them, or send them to a commercial or municipal composting facility.

— Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
Critics trashed the movie, which also failed to make its money back at the box office, but the film found its audience gradually, eventually earning a place in repertory history as a Halloween comfort watch particularly beloved by millennial women.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of trash

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vandalization

vandalize

vandalized

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“Vandalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vandalize. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of vandalize

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