vandalize
Damage public property
To vandalize is to deliberately damage or deface property, especially public property: Someone vandalized the statue with spray paint, The school was vandalized over the weekend.
The word implies willful destruction rather than accident—graffiti on walls, smashed windows, keyed cars.
Vandalism is the noun for this behavior or the damage itself.
Damage a surface's appearance
- destroyCause complete ruin
- wreckDestroyed vessel or vehicle
- ruinComplete destruction or collapse
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
mar · disfigure · desecrate · trash · smash · demolish · mutilate · blemish
Pressurized pigment in cans
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- tagsIdentifiers for sorting items
- scrawlCareless, illegible writing
- aerosolMist in gas
stencil · marker · scribble · etch · scratch · carve · slashing · smear
Public expression of disapproval
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
- boredomWeary disinterest from monotony
thrill · hatred · bigotry · antisemitism · racism · hooliganism · mischief · spite
Something owned or inherent
- monumentStructure honoring someone remembered
- statueThree-dimensional sculpted likeness
- gravestoneBurial site marker
- tombstoneMemorial stone at grave
memorial · shrine · church · synagogue · mosque · cemetery · storefront · vehicle
Lesser criminal charge
- felonySerious criminal offense
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
- arrestSeize by law
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
fine · restitution · charges · juvenile · delinquency · surveillance · security · police
deface
Damage a surface's appearance
sabotage · mar · disfigure · desecrate · trash · smash · demolish · mutilate · blemish · scar
spraypaint
Pressurized pigment in cans
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- tagsIdentifiers for sorting items
- scrawlCareless, illegible writing
aerosol · stencil · marker · scribble · etch · scratch · carve · slashing · smear · bomb
protest
Public expression of disapproval
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
boredom · thrill · hatred · bigotry · antisemitism · racism · hooliganism · mischief · spite · anger
property
Something owned or inherent
- monumentStructure honoring someone remembered
- statueThree-dimensional sculpted likeness
- gravestoneBurial site marker
tombstone · memorial · shrine · church · synagogue · mosque · cemetery · storefront · vehicle · billboard
misdemeanor
Lesser criminal charge
prosecution · fine · restitution · charges · juvenile · delinquency · surveillance · security · police · report
- destruction verbsdestroy, demolish, wreck, ruin, smash
- misbehaviormisbehave, misbehavior, mischief, misconduct, naughty
- disruptdisrupt, disturb, upset, disorder, disorganize
- car vandalismIntentional damage to vehicles
- school vandalismDeliberately damaging educational facilities
vandalism, vandalizing, vandalized, vandalised, vandalises, vandalise, vandalising, vandalizes, vandalization