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

Derived Forms

• ˌvandalˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• vandal·istic vandal·ish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vandalism¹

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

Example Sentences

On rare occasions, instances of vandalism on Wikipedia can slip through.

From Search Engine Land

Google has been investing a lot along side Wikipedia to detect and reduce vandalism within Wikipedia.

From Search Engine Land

Eventually, Simonis was given a citation for vandalism related to chalking the sidewalk in front of the courthouse, and sent out the door in the middle of the night with no way home.

From FiveThirtyEight

That includes a number of vandalism and property damage cases, as well as reported assaults on officers.

From Voice of San Diego

Records obtained by VOSD show that the San Diego Police Department was primarily looking into incidents of vandalism, looting and destruction to property, as well as objects being thrown at passing vehicles or police.

From Voice of San Diego

Two years later and sober, he was still acting out, facing 17 years for graffiti and vandalism.

From The Daily Beast

Those kids will face punishment for their vandalism, and the administration will congratulate itself for its efforts.

From The Daily Beast

Some may think “price tag” attacks are relatively minor acts of vandalism—racially or religiously motivated hooliganism at best.

From The Daily Beast

Mayor Bloomberg agreed that the “vandal” must be caught and charged with vandalism.

From The Daily Beast

The U.S. Open of Surfing dissolved into vandalism, looting, and groping.

From The Daily Beast

People who are willing to pay are not generally of the class who commit acts of vandalism.

From Project Gutenberg

When the work of Vandalism came to an end, it was wonderful that the building itself had escaped destruction.

From Project Gutenberg

Susy first discovered the vandalism, and came rushing to the house in a torrent of sorrow.

From Project Gutenberg

Another piece of vandalism was the inlaying the leaves of the book and binding them in three volumes.

From Project Gutenberg

The successors of the men who advocated such an act of vandalism have, however, atoned for the shameless proposal.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• mischief