vandalism

[van-dl-iz-uhm]

noun

1. deliberately mischievous or malicious destruction or damage of property.

   vandalism of public buildings.

2. the conduct or spirit characteristic of the Vandals.

3. willful or ignorant destruction of artistic or literary treasures.

4. a vandalic act.

vandalism

/ ˈvændəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the wanton or deliberate destruction caused by a vandal or an instance of such destruction

Other Word Forms

• vandalistic adjective
• vandalish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vandalism¹

1790–1800; vandal + -ism; compare French vandalisme

Related Words

• mischief