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

Example Sentences

According to park advocates, the decision led to vandalism in parks, as visitors drove through protected landscapes, looted historical sites, and rampantly littered.

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"This is not just vandalism, but a violent attack on the idea of non-violence," the Indian High Commission said in a post on X, calling it "shameful".

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In a written statement, the Police Department said officers responded shortly before 6 p.m. to the 1000 block of Obispo Avenue about a report of vandalism.

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On Sunday, sheriff’s deputies picked Bhatia up from Beverly Hills police custody and booked him into West Hollywood Station on suspicion of burglary, vandalism and animal cruelty, Medrano said.

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Examples include the Animal Liberation Front and Earth Liberation Front arson and vandalism campaigns in the 1990s and 2000s, which were more likely to target property rather than people.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• mischief