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
Relevance
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 vandalize
And yet word of the clinic’s existence soon reached security officers, who vandalized it and interrogated the doctor who ran it.
—
Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026
Cobb officers called to the scene in June 2024 noted that a nearby metals manufacturer was previously vandalized in connection with the training center’s construction.
—Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 11 Feb. 2026
In 2012, Chinese crowds gathered for anti-Japan protests over a territorial dispute, smashed Japanese brand cars and vandalized Japanese restaurants.
—Chan Ho-Him, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
Returning from exile, the Roman statesman found his property vandalized; his scrolls jumbled, torn, and scattered.
—Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vandalize
Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026
Cobb officers called to the scene in June 2024 noted that a nearby metals manufacturer was previously vandalized in connection with the training center’s construction.
—Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 11 Feb. 2026
In 2012, Chinese crowds gathered for anti-Japan protests over a territorial dispute, smashed Japanese brand cars and vandalized Japanese restaurants.
—Chan Ho-Him, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
Returning from exile, the Roman statesman found his property vandalized; his scrolls jumbled, torn, and scattered.
—Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vandalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vandalize
Verb
-
Shipwreck hunters have been searching the lakes with more urgency in recent years out of concerns that invasive quagga mussels are slowly destroying wrecks.—
Todd Richmond,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
However, archaeologists faced a significant challenge—how to penetrate its secrets without destroying it in the process?—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And in the late 1980s, after Little Saigon found official recognition, freeway and street signs directing people to the community were frequently defaced and destroyed in disapproval, Hua said.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
17 Feb. 2026
-
As restoration work gets underway on an East Side mural defaced with spray paint, organizers say the vandalism has only motivated them to stand up stronger for victims of police violence.—
Annasofia Scheve,
San Antonio Express-News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After the city of New York demolished the Polo Grounds in 1964, a crumbling concrete staircase stood forgotten as the last remaining vestige of the legendary stadium.—
Libby Cierzniak,
IndyStar,
20 Feb. 2026
-
With his daughter, Lupel also tutored youngsters from the Cabrini-Green housing project before it was demolished.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Those skipping romance this season can name an ex after a pile of animal feces, shred old photos for dining deals or smash their way through staged date nights in rage rooms.—
Julian Torres,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
-
No matter what, Bella Hadid will always smash a theme.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That was what Ilia Malinin endured on Friday night, when his disastrous free skate ruined his chances for gold.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Steam cleaning is an effective way to sanitize and refresh your mattress, but the wrong technique can end up ruining the fabric.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This violates the 4th Amendment, which protects people (including noncitizens) from unreasonable searches and seizures in their homes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
But a spokesperson for Kelly said the governor has deep concerns that SB 387 could jeopardize Kansas’ $250 million in federal school meal funding and potentially violate the Legislature’s school funding obligations set by the Kansas Supreme Court.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Overall, European leaders’ positive reception of Rubio’s speech reflected how horrifically damaged the transatlantic relationship has been by the past year of turmoil over Ukraine, and month of arson over Greenland.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Some of the fiercest storms in the South were reported near Lake Charles, Louisiana, where high winds from a thunderstorm overturned a horse trailer and a Mardi Gras float, damaged an airport jet bridge and flung the metal awning from a house into power lines.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Spectators sometimes pile dozens around their necks, but many are trashed or left on the ground.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Spectators sometimes pile dozens around their necks, but many are trashed or left on the ground.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vandalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vandalize. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
