1 vandalization | Definition of vandalization

vandalize

verb
van·​dal·​ize | \ ˈvan-də-ˌlÄ«z How to pronounce vandalize (audio) \
vandalized; vandalizing

Definition of vandalize

transitive verb

: to subject to vandalism : damage

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Other Words from vandalize

vandalization \ ˌvan-​də-​lə-​ˈzā-​shən How to pronounce vandalization (audio) \ noun

Synonyms for vandalize

Synonyms

deface, trash

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Examples of vandalize in a Sentence

Our car was vandalized in the parking lot. he decided to vandalize the store because the owner had kicked him out

Recent Examples on the Web

Breaking and entering: Case Road On Aug. 11, a man reported that a home under construction had been broken into and vandalized. Cheryl Higley, cleveland.com, "Report of man shooting his mom unfounded: North Ridgeville Police Blotter," 30 Aug. 2019 Matthew Stevenson has trouble accepting his parent’s divorce and vents his anger by vandalizing a church. Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week Sept. 1 - 7, 2019: John Wayne in ‘The Searchers’ and more," 30 Aug. 2019 Three other protesters were taken in earlier this week for alleged involvement in the storming of the legislative building on July 1, when protesters broke in and vandalized the main chamber. Ken Moritsugu, Anchorage Daily News, "Hong Kong democracy activists arrested, anniversary protest march banned," 30 Aug. 2019 Then on July 21, hours after protesters vandalized the Chinese government’s liaison office in the city, a mob attacked a group of protesters in a train station. New York Times, "City on Edge: Photographs From Hong Kong’s Summer of Protest," 28 Aug. 2019 Among the personal belongings vandalized include African art figurines and an iconic photo of Ruby Bridges. Tanya A. Christian, Essence, "Vandalism Sparks Rumors Of Racial Motivation At Department Of Education," 26 Aug. 2019 Then too, moderate voices attempted to intervene but were drowned out by an angry crowd, which eventually broke in and vandalized the building, spraying slogans inside the main chamber and erecting a colonial era flag. James Griffiths, CNN, "Mob violence tests the limits of Hong Kong's leaderless protest movement," 15 Aug. 2019 In recent weeks, protesters have escalated their tactics to include besieging and vandalizing police stations, as well as targeting symbols of Chinese rule in the city. Echo Huang, Quartz, "After a Chinese flag was thrown into the sea, Hong Kong celebrities flex their patriotic muscles," 7 Aug. 2019 The anger from Beijing grew after protesters vandalized the outside of the Chinese government liaison office in Hong Kong, including throwing paint on the national emblem. Austin Ramzy, BostonGlobe.com, "China backs Hong Kong officials, but leaves protests for them to solve," 29 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vandalize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of vandalize

1832, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for vandalize

vandal + -ize

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More Definitions for vandalize

vandalize

verb

English Language Learners Definition of vandalize

: to deliberately destroy or damage (property)

vandalize

verb
van·​dal·​ize | \ ˈvan-də-ˌlÄ«z How to pronounce vandalize (audio) \
vandalized; vandalizing

Kids Definition of vandalize

: to destroy or damage property on purpose

vandalize

transitive verb
van·​dal·​ize | \ ˈvand-ᔊl-ˌīz How to pronounce vandalize (audio) \
vandalized; vandalizing

Legal Definition of vandalize

: to subject to vandalism

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