vandalize
gb/vˈændəlˌaɪz/ us/vˈændəlˌaɪz/
B2
English
megrongál, összefirkál, vandalizál
VERB
B2
1
megrongál
B2
Usage pattern:
vandalize [something]
Someone vandalized the playground equipment overnight.
Valaki az éjszaka folyamán megrongálta a játszótéri eszközöket.
The police arrested two teens for vandalizing parked cars.
A rendőrség két tinédzsert letartóztatott, mert parkoló autókat rongáltak meg.
The station was repeatedly vandalized, so the city installed cameras.
Learner examples
They vandalized the wall.
Megrongálták a falat.
Someone vandalized our mailbox.
Valaki megrongálta a postaládánkat.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse vandalize (verb) with vandal (noun). Also note the spelling: vandalize (US) is also spelled vandalise (UK).
Meaning
deliberately damage someone’s property
Collocations
vandalize a car
|vandalize a building
|vandalize a school
|vandalize public property
|vandalize a park
|vandalize a bus stop
|vandalize a store
|vandalize a monument
|vandalize a statue
|vandalize a sign
Synonyms
damage (More general; doesn’t always imply intention.)
|
wreck (Stronger; suggests causing severe damage.)
|
smash (Emphasizes breaking things physically, often violently.)
Antonyms
repair (To fix damage rather than cause it.)
|
restore (To return something to its original condition.)
|
protect (To keep something safe from harm.)
Themes
crime
|law
|public_space
|daily_life
Definition
To damage something on purpose, often in a public place.
To deliberately damage or destroy property, especially property that belongs to someone else or to the public.
VERB
B2
2
összefirkál
B1
Usage pattern:
vandalize [surface/place] (with graffiti)
The historic church door was vandalized with spray paint.
A történelmi templom ajtaját festékszóróval összefirkálták.
Someone vandalized the sign by scratching out the letters.
Valaki úgy rongálta meg a táblát, hogy kikaparta a betűket.
The statue was vandalized with graffiti during the night.
Learner examples
They vandalized the wall with paint.
Festékkel összefirkálták a falat.
Someone vandalized the sign.
Valaki összefirkálta a táblát.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use vandalize when they only mean decorate; vandalize implies unwanted and harmful marking.
Meaning
cover with graffiti or markings
Collocations
vandalize a wall
|vandalize a mural
|vandalize a storefront
|vandalize a bathroom
|vandalize a subway car
|vandalize a bridge
|vandalize a sign
|vandalize a monument
|vandalize a fence
|vandalize a doorway
Synonyms
deface (Often used for writing/marking that spoils appearance; slightly more formal.)
|
graffiti (Describes the act specifically as making graffiti; can be neutral in some contexts, unlike vandalize.)
Antonyms
clean (To remove unwanted marks or dirt.)
|
preserve (To keep something in its original condition.)
Themes
crime
|art
|public_space
Definition
To make something look bad by writing or drawing on it.
To spoil the appearance of something by writing on it, painting it, or otherwise marking it, especially with graffiti.
VERB
C1
3
vandalizál
C1
Usage pattern:
vandalize [website/page/account]
Someone vandalized the company’s website with offensive images.
Valaki sértő képekkel vandalizálta a cég weboldalát.
The article was vandalized repeatedly, so moderators locked the page.
A cikket többször is vandalizálták, ezért a moderátorok lezárták az oldalt.
Hackers vandalized the homepage to spread misinformation.
Learner examples
Someone vandalized the website.
Valaki vandalizálta a weboldalt.
They vandalized the page with bad words.
Trágár szavakkal vandalizálták az oldalt.
Common mistake:
Don’t use vandalize for normal editing or redesign; it implies malicious intent and harm.
Meaning
maliciously alter online content
Collocations
vandalize a website
|vandalize a webpage
|vandalize a Wikipedia page
|vandalize an article
|vandalize an online profile
|vandalize a forum
|vandalize a page
|vandalize a listing
Synonyms
tamper with (Broader; can be physical or digital and not always obvious damage.)
|
sabotage (Stronger; suggests deliberately trying to make something fail.)
Antonyms
maintain (To keep something working and in good condition.)
|
moderate (To manage and protect online content and users.)
Themes
internet
|technology
|crime
Definition
To change an internet page in a harmful way on purpose.
To deliberately harm or disrupt an online page or digital content by making damaging, false, or abusive changes.
Grammar
Dictionary form
vandalize
IPA
GB/vˈændəlˌaɪz/
US/vˈændəlˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
van - dal - ize (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (van)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: vandalize
- 3rd Person Singular: vandalizes
- Present Participle: vandalizing
- Past: vandalized
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.