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vandalism

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

The destruction of glass windows and doors is a form of vandalism.

Etymology

Borrowed from French vandalisme, first used by Henri Grégoire to decry the pillage and destruction of art in the course of the French Revolution, in reference to the East Germanic tribe of the Vandals, which looted Rome in 455. By surface analysis, vandal +‎ -ism.

Pronunciation

Noun

vandalism (countable and uncountable, plural vandalisms)

  1. Willful damage to or destruction of any property, such as graffiti or defacement.
    Synonym: vandalization
    As we turned down the street I was appalled by the vandalism: spray paint and smashed windows that were everywhere.
    • 2022 November 2, Paul Bigland, “New trains, old trains, and splendid scenery”, in RAIL, number 969, page 57:
      Bradford once boasted two stations with overall roofs. The pair were swept away in the 1970s in an act of corporate and civic vandalism.
    • 2025 March 22, Megan Forrester, “Trump suggests Tesla vandals should be sent to prison in El Salvador”, in ABC News[1]:
      President Donald Trump seemed to issue a warning to individuals who participate in Tesla vandalisms, as reports of destruction to vehicles, dealerships and charging stations surge across the country. [] When asked about his comments at the White House on Friday afternoon, Trump called the vandalism suspects "terrorists" and appeared to argue what was happening with Tesla vehicles was worse than what happened during the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol.

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from French vandalisme. Equivalent to vandal +‎ -ism.

Noun

vandalism n (uncountable)

  1. vandalism

Declension

Declension of vandalism
singular only indefinite definite
nominative-accusative vandalism vandalismul
genitive-dative vandalism vandalismului
vocative vandalismule

Swedish

Noun

vandalism c

  1. vandalism

Declension

Declension of vandalism
nominative genitive
singular indefinite vandalism vandalisms
definite vandalismen vandalismens
plural indefinite
definite