vandalize

verb

ˈvan-də-ˌlīz How to pronounce vandalize (audio)
Definition of vandalizenext
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

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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 On January 8, 2023, thousands of his supporters stormed the heart of Brasilia, the federal capital, vandalizing the buildings of the Supreme Court, Congress, and the Presidential Palace. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026 Many were peaceful but some 1,500 shops and many symbols of the state were vandalized, leading to more than 2,000 arrests. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026 Some demonstrations turned violent, with cars burned, shops looted and the Arc de Triomphe vandalized during clashes in Paris. — ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026 Shops were looted in Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille, Lyon and other cities, while public buildings were vandalized or targeted by fires. — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vandalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vandalize
  1. destroy
  2. deface
  3. demolish
  4. smash
  5. ruin
  6. violate
  7. damage
  8. trash
Verb
  • An electrical fire destroyed their home on Osceola Avenue during Fourth of July weekend in 2005.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Earthquakes in July 2019 destroyed three energetics compounds in the Salt Wells area of China Lake.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • In 2021, a series of sacred, 300-year petroglyphs along the cliffs of Hawaii were defaced with a paintball gun, marking one in a string of incidents involving the artworks.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Nationwide, vandals have filmed themselves on social media damaging or defacing Flock cameras.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of deface
Verb
  • The row of storefronts between Chili’s and the Apple Cinema has numerous vacancies, and in the spring of 2025 a developer proposed demolishing part of the retail space for large apartment complex.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026
  • That building has since been demolished, but Rollins’ exhibit teems with punk-rock energy.
    — Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of demolish
Verb
  • The post fell with a thunderous crash across the hood of the car, smashing the windshield and injuring Dad.
    — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Caleb Wilson launches a lob and Buzelis smashes the ball through the rim.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of smash
Verb
  • The tumult of these raids, which played out daily on TV and social media, ruined lives and hurt local economies.
    — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Season is far from over The good news is, unlike Miami’s historic 1988 loss in South Bend, this loss does not ruin the Hurricanes’ chances to win a national title.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • Daniel Ojukwu, with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, or FIJ, a local investigative media house, was jailed on a 12-count charge accusing him of violating the country's cybercrime act, pending a bail hearing.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Rodriguez’s lawyers argued that Garcia’s participation in the recount process violated the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of violate
Verb
  • The company argues that much of the opposition is based on wrong or insufficient information, and contends that its operation wouldn’t drain resources or damage the environment, but would produce a hefty tax revenue boost for Cromwell.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 13 Nov. 2026
  • The researchers found that these structures concentrated electrical activity into tiny hotspots, helping amplify the material’s ability to damage bacterial cells.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of damage
Verb
  • When Bly returned to New York with him, McGinty trashed her apartment.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Raman’s colleagues on the City Council have trashed her like bullies out of a boarding school novel.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of trash

Browse Nearby Words

vandalization
vandalize
vandalized
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Cite this Entry

“Vandalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vandalize. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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