vandalize

American  

[van-dl-ahyz] / ˈvæn dlˌaɪz /

especially British, vandalise

verb (used with object)

vandalized, vandalizing

1. to destroy or deface by vandalism.

   Someone vandalized the museum during the night.

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vandalize British  

/ ˈvændəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to destroy or damage (something) by an act of vandalism

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Etymology

Origin of vandalize

First recorded in 1790–1800; vandal + -ize

Example Sentences

The name of the out-of-town cemetery that eventually accepted them, Ayloush said, was made public, and it was vandalized just after the attackers were buried.

From Los Angeles Times

The school once had a garden with two life-size dinosaurs but it was vandalized in the 1990s and never restored, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The police version of events said officers were summoned about 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday to a robbery call in the 700 block of W. Channel Street, where they found Nielsen vandalizing the store.

From Los Angeles Times

Officers quickly identified Williams as their suspect using surveillance video at two of the vandalized locations.

From Los Angeles Times

The same week the podcast was published, the Gunners’ home was vandalized with graffiti.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deface
• demolish
• raze
• smash
• trash
• wreck