1
capitalized
: a member of a Germanic people who lived in the area south of the Baltic Sea between the Vistula and the Oder rivers, overran Gaul, Spain, and northern Africa in the fourth and fifth centuries a.d., and in 455 sacked Rome
2
: one who willfully or ignorantly destroys, damages, or defaces property belonging to another or to the public
vandal
adjective
often capitalized
Examples of vandal in a Sentence
Vandals defaced the school's walls.
a group of vandals broke into the school and painted graffiti on the walls
Recent Examples on the Web
The incident comes amid a growing trend of vandals targeting Tesla dealerships and drivers, seemingly due to Elon Musk's political ties to President Donald Trump.
—
Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
Electric vehicle chargers are increasingly a target of vandals, often in search of copper.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 16 Jan. 2025
Like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, Death Valley National Park must occasionally grapple with vandals and visitors who break the rules.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 15 Jan. 2025
In recent weeks, vandals descended on the Hollywood Hills to leave their mark with fresh taggings on the mansions, much to the dismay of his neighbors.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vandal
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Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
Electric vehicle chargers are increasingly a target of vandals, often in search of copper.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 16 Jan. 2025
Like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, Death Valley National Park must occasionally grapple with vandals and visitors who break the rules.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 15 Jan. 2025
In recent weeks, vandals descended on the Hollywood Hills to leave their mark with fresh taggings on the mansions, much to the dismay of his neighbors.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vandal
Cite this Entry
“Vandal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vandal. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vandal
noun
van·dal
ˈvan-dᵊl 
1
capitalized
: a member of a Germanic people overrunning Gaul, Spain, and northern Africa in the fourth and fifth centuries a.d.
2
: a person who destroys or damages property on purpose
Etymology
from Latin Vandalii (plural) "The Vandals"; of Germanic origin
Word Origin
The Vandals were a Germanic people who originally lived in northern Europe. In the fourth and fifth centuries, however, other barbarian peoples, especially the Huns, forced the Vandals to migrate westward and southward through what are now the lands of France and Spain. They finally settled in northern Africa. But as they migrated, the Vandals did not just pass through an area. They destroyed many cities and towns. They probably were no worse than other barbarians, but they became widely known for destruction. This probably happened because they invaded and looted the city of Rome in 455. They destroyed or ruined much of what they could not take with them. The Vandals were later defeated by the Roman army but their bad reputation caused their name to be used for "a deliberately destructive person."
Legal Definition
vandal
noun
van·dal
ˈvand-ᵊl
: a person who willfully destroys, damages, or defaces property belonging to another or to the public
Etymology
Vandal, member of a Germanic tribe who sacked Rome in a.d. 455
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