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
The pair allegedly vandalized the Guardian Building's revolving glass door at 4:45 a.m. Saturday and fled, according to a news release from prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office.
—
Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 22 July 2025
Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Bronx campaign office was vandalized with red paint overnight Monday, with perpetrators leaving a sign accusing the congresswoman of funding genocide in Gaza.
—Adeola Adeosun
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
According to a statement from the Chicago Police Department, three buildings in the 2700 block of West Cermak Road and one in the 2500 block were vandalized late Friday night, around midnight.
—Katherine Weaver, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
The following year, the K-rail was vandalized with graffiti.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for vandalize
Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 22 July 2025
Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Bronx campaign office was vandalized with red paint overnight Monday, with perpetrators leaving a sign accusing the congresswoman of funding genocide in Gaza.
—Adeola Adeosun
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
According to a statement from the Chicago Police Department, three buildings in the 2700 block of West Cermak Road and one in the 2500 block were vandalized late Friday night, around midnight.
—Katherine Weaver, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
The following year, the K-rail was vandalized with graffiti.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for vandalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vandalize
Verb
-
In return, he was allowed to effectively destroy a nature site of great conservation value.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
-
When the Silver Surfer arrives in New York to destroy the final teleportation tower, Johnny plays those traumatic recordings over speakers in Earth-828's version of Times Square, hoping to appeal to her empathy.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Over the years, around 30 people would be arrested for toppling or otherwise defacing the cross, according to Enquirer reports at the time.—
Cameron Knight,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
Vandals defacing city buildings with anti-police graffiti.—
Matthew Ormseth,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2025
Verb
-
After partially collapsing on Sunday, one of the two Eutaw Street buildings condemned by the city’s housing department was being demolished Monday evening, as transportation officials advised that street closures likely will continue through Tuesday’s commute.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Aug. 2025
-
And its new chair, Rep. Mike Flood, wants to demolish that assumption for good.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Abraham Toro led off the fifth with a single against Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson, Anthony drew a walk and Alex Bregman smashed a three-run homer to put the Red Sox ahead 3-2.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
29 July 2025
-
Chloe Kelly stood up once again for the winning moment, smashing her kick past the Spanish goalkeeper and securing England’s second European crown.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Meanwhile in Trier, Germany’s oldest city, Roman ruins, such as the Porta Nigra and imperial baths, blend seamlessly with baroque palaces and centuries-old scholarly libraries.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
That would violate not only longstanding norms, but also potentially provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that aim to prevent minority vote dilution, says Jones.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Policy experts viewed the Trump administration’s interim final rule on H-1B visas, which a court blocked for violating the Administrative Procedure Act, as designed to prevent, or at least discourage, employers from using the H-1B category by narrowing eligibility and piling on requirements.—
Stuart Anderson,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
-
Anything that damages the trust between the vendor, Microsoft, and the user is as much a threat as the hackers themselves, in my never humble opinion.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Rather than driving her to school, according to investigators from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Kissimmee Police Department, Sterns trashed her belongings in a dumpster and drove to and from St. Cloud.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 July 2025
-
The singer jumped to his friend’s defense and pulled Paul back by the hair and shoved him aside, but not before Logan smashed up Jelly’s musical equipment, trashing his guitars and drum set.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vandalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vandalize. Accessed 9 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share