vandalism

American  

[van-dl-iz-uhm] / ˈvæn dlˌɪz əm /

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.

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vandalism British  

/ ˈvændəˌlɪzəm /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• vandalish adjective
• vandalistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of vandalism

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

Example Sentences

Anti-ICE protests in some 60 cities of California were largely peaceful statewide, although marked by moments of tension, anger and sporadic vandalism.

From Los Angeles Times

“While there is no indication that the vandalism to the menorah was a hate crime, I was deeply disturbed that this historic menorah was damaged,” the statement continued.

From Los Angeles Times

“It is almost certainly the greatest collective act of scientific vandalism in recent American history,” environmental journalist Bill McKibben wrote in The New Yorker in December.

From Salon

Fearing looting and vandalism after Kadhafi's overthrow, the antiquities department removed "all the artefacts until the country re-stabilised", said Fakroun, 63, who has worked at the French archaeological mission to Libya for almost four decades.

From Barron's

Cases have been brought over private Facebook messages, flash mob protests scattering anti-election leaflets, and vandalism of candidate placards.

From Barron's

Related Words

• mischief