noun
Uncommon
vandalism
VAN-duh-lihzm
Vandalism (noun) means Deliberate damage or destruction of property, such as graffiti or smashed windows. Example: “The park benches were covered in vandalism.”
noun
1
Deliberate damage or destruction of property, such as graffiti or smashed windows.
"As we turned down the street I was appalled by the vandalism: spray paint and smashed windows that were everywhere."
"The park benches were covered in vandalism."
"Bradford once boasted two stations with overall roofs. The pair were swept away in the 1970s in an act of corporate and civic vandalism."
— Paul Bigland, New trains, old trains, and splendid scenery (2022)
How to use vandalism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe deliberate wrecking or defacing of property.
Common pairings
act of vandalism
victim of vandalism
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Word forms
- Plural
- vandalisms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The park benches were covered in _____.
Etymology
From French vandalisme, coined in 1794 to describe the destruction of art during the French Revolution, itself named after the Vandals.
Synonyms
View more →
hooliganism
malicious mischief
Related words
Rhymes for vandalism
realism
fatalism
idealism
globalism
socialism
federalism
radicalism
capitalism
liberalism
surrealism
journalism
materialism
See all rhymes for vandalism →
Frequently asked questions
What does “vandalism” mean?
The word “vandalism” means deliberate damage or destruction of property, such as graffiti or smashed windows. In plain terms, the deliberate wrecking or defacing of property.
How do you pronounce “vandalism”?
“Vandalism” is pronounced VAN-duh-lihzm (/ˈvændəlɪzm̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “vandalism” in a sentence?
Here is “vandalism” used in a sentence: “The park benches were covered in vandalism.”
What part of speech is “vandalism”?
“Vandalism” is a noun.
Where does the word “vandalism” come from?
The word “vandalism” dates back to around 1794 and comes from French. From French vandalisme, coined in 1794 to describe the destruction of art during the French Revolution, itself named after the Vandals.
Is “vandalism” a common word?
“Vandalism” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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