vandalize

especially British, van·dal·ise

[van-dl-ahyz]

verb (used with object)

vandalized, vandalizing 

1. to destroy or deface by vandalism.

   Someone vandalized the museum during the night.

vandalize

/ ˈvændəˌlaɪz /

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vandalize¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; vandal + -ize

Example Sentences

Arizona’s Jewish fraternity was also vandalized in April with graffiti asking “Which side of History will you be on?”

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It has forced at least one L.A. synagogue to relocate its services; others have been vandalized.

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He then vandalized the store, according to the Sheriff’s Department, which cited the cellphone video footage.

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

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Ruto publicly ordered police to aim for the legs of any protester vandalizing businesses.

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Related Words

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