as in vandalism
deliberate damaging or destroying of another's property
colorizing that classic black-and-white film would be an unforgivable act of cinematic vandalization
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vandalization
Ryan Carter, Daily News, 19 Mar. 2026
Police said officers from the 116th Precinct had been alerted to the vandalization in the neighborhood and found 11 different police vehicles, both marked and unmarked, with damage.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025
Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Operating funds would be spent on security for shuttered stations, to ensure they do not get vandalized or stripped for copper wire.
—Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vandalization
Noun
Riverside has both a community center named for Chavez and a bronze statue — often the target of vandalization — on the Main Street pedestrian mall in the city’s downtown.
—Ryan Carter, Daily News, 19 Mar. 2026
Police said officers from the 116th Precinct had been alerted to the vandalization in the neighborhood and found 11 different police vehicles, both marked and unmarked, with damage.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025
Verb
Ungrateful humans vandalized his black cement statue.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Operating funds would be spent on security for shuttered stations, to ensure they do not get vandalized or stripped for copper wire.
—Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vandalization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vandalization
Noun
-
Residents claim that gun violence, vandalism and break-ins have increased.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Apr. 2026
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In its 2025 report, researchers at the ADL documented 9,354 incidents of antisemitic assault, harassment and vandalism across the country in 2024 − a 5% increase from 2023, which was also a record-breaking year.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Thankfully, the Dark Sky movement is growing as more people become aware of the issue and learn about simple and cost-effective ways that can be embraced to reverse the course of destroying our night skies.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Radioactive clouds spread, causing panic as far away as Germany and Britain; millions of litres of milk were dumped; livestock was destroyed or banned from sale.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These public acts were meant not only to deface property, but to send a message of intimidation.—
Laurence Milstein,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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In Australia, synagogues were firebombed, cars torched and Jewish community buildings defaced – the types of attacks recently seen in the United Kingdom that have prompted calls for a crackdown on antisemitism.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After six years of plans to redevelop the shuttered MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island, the owners would like to demolish the building and build a data center on the property, according to city officials.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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In January, Publix closed its 40-year-old Palms store and by mid-April it was demolished to make way for a bigger, contemporary supermarket.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But as anyone who’s dropped a mug knows, ceramics are also brittle and prone to smashing.—
Caitlin Kennedy,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2026
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Police said three men wearing masks and all black clothing entered the open business and allegedly used a hammer to smash out several glass panels.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2026
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Apparently, staff learned to wash their hands, but the roaches returned to ruin another inspector’s visit.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It was eventually reduced to 184 games for violating the league's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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He was also later convicted in federal court of violating Bils’ civil rights.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2026
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Data from the German Aerospace Center, which analyzes global development, cross-referenced with images from ICEYE and Vantor show that buildings making up the peripheries of the cities damaged by this year’s fires mostly sprang up in the 2000s and 2010s.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vandalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vandalization. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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