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
Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 2 Apr. 2026
Ungrateful humans vandalized his black cement statue.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 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
While some students and staff seemed to appreciate the bots, plenty more did not, taking it upon themselves to vandalize, harass, and knock the fellas over at every opportunity.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 2 Apr. 2026
Ungrateful humans vandalized his black cement statue.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 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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The Trinity fire, which started May 1 in Phelan, burned 19 acres with no structures damaged, though the blaze destroyed an unknown number of Joshua trees.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
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But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces destroyed several military and other targets, while also inflicting significant damage on oil port infrastructure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 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
-
The Browns will pay for their current home to be demolished after the 2028 season, which will make way for lakefront development.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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Trump has overseen dramatic cosmetic changes on the White House grounds during his second term, including paving over the grassy line of the famous Rose Garden and demolishing the White House's East Wing to make way for a massive ballroom.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The Bears smashed 3 home runs in the game with Avery Welch getting things started with a 2-run shot in the bottom of the first after a 1-out walk to Haylie Jimenez.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 May 2026
-
Lopez, who smashed 15 homers last season, nearly had his fourth of the season on Friday.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Scrubbing can ruin the finish on fabric, especially upholstery.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
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Safeguarding the location of the Bezos’ party could save the man Forbes calls the world’s fourth-richest person from having protesters ruin his evening.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Haines is among more than 1,500 property owners who filed a federal lawsuit arguing the moratorium enacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention violated the Fifth Amendment by unlawfully denying them compensation.—
Michael Casey,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
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But after the state complied, white plaintiffs sued, saying the second district drawn with racial goals in mind violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
The Trinity fire, which started May 1 in Phelan, burned 19 acres with no structures damaged, though the blaze destroyed an unknown number of Joshua trees.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
-
They’re specifically designed for glass cooktop surfaces and have two sides—a gritty, sandpaper-like one on one side and a soft sponge on the other that gently scrub off stubborn messes and stuck-on bits without scratching or damaging the glass.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vandalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vandalization. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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