vandalize

[ van-dl-ahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, van·dal·ized, van·dal·iz·ing.

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

The agency does not have the staff or budget to regularly inspect streetlights to identify dangerously loose caps or other problems, or to swiftly fix burned-out or vandalized lights.

From Los Angeles Times

On Thursday, British authorities charged a pair of climate change activists for vandalizing Stonehenge, a prehistoric megalithic structure on a chalk plateau known as the Salisbury Plain.

From Salon

“Officers located six to seven businesses which were vandalized and the instance is being investigated as a hate crime,” Cuellar said.

From Los Angeles Times

In downtown L.A., multiple businesses were burglarized or vandalized, though exact details were not available.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s one thing to celebrate but another thing to vandalize,” the Jalisco native said in Spanish.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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