as in defacers
a person who damages or destroys property on purpose
a group of vandals broke into the school and painted graffiti on the walls
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 vandals
The study also left out instances where vandals damaged Tesla vehicles and charging stations.
—
NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
There was one instance of vandals toppling monuments.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
The protests stretched beyond India’s borders, too, with London’s Asia House controversially canceling an exhibition of Husain’s work in 2006, citing security concerns, after Hindu groups demanded its closure and vandals defaced two of his paintings.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Investigators believe vandals placed the hate symbol on the side of the hill sometime Friday night, Kelley said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
Bear West’s owners in the online appeal said their eatery had been repeatedly targeted by vandals in the days leading to the fire, stopping short of saying the early Thursday fire was deliberately set.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Following a community vigil Sunday night, vandals struck.
—Lorraine Taylor, FOXNews.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Small groups blocked roads while one contingent of vandals roughed up the lobby of traditionally anti-Kirchner TV station TN (owned by Grupo Clarín, one of Cristina’s historical antagonists).
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Since June, vandals have tagged eight locations in the South Side neighborhood — including a mailbox, stop sign, emergency bell and lockers — with stickers or graffiti carrying antisemitic messages, the latest found Monday afternoon in the 1300 block of East 53rd Street, authorities said.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
There was one instance of vandals toppling monuments.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
The protests stretched beyond India’s borders, too, with London’s Asia House controversially canceling an exhibition of Husain’s work in 2006, citing security concerns, after Hindu groups demanded its closure and vandals defaced two of his paintings.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Investigators believe vandals placed the hate symbol on the side of the hill sometime Friday night, Kelley said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
Bear West’s owners in the online appeal said their eatery had been repeatedly targeted by vandals in the days leading to the fire, stopping short of saying the early Thursday fire was deliberately set.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Following a community vigil Sunday night, vandals struck.
—Lorraine Taylor, FOXNews.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Small groups blocked roads while one contingent of vandals roughed up the lobby of traditionally anti-Kirchner TV station TN (owned by Grupo Clarín, one of Cristina’s historical antagonists).
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Since June, vandals have tagged eight locations in the South Side neighborhood — including a mailbox, stop sign, emergency bell and lockers — with stickers or graffiti carrying antisemitic messages, the latest found Monday afternoon in the 1300 block of East 53rd Street, authorities said.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vandals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vandals. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share