malicious mischief
Definition
Noun: * Malicious Mischief: The criminal act of intentionally and without lawful excuse damaging or destroying the property of another person. The key elements are a deliberate intent (malice) to cause harm or damage, and the absence of any justification or permission.
Usage
This term is primarily used in legal and formal contexts to describe a specific category of crime. * The teenager was charged with malicious mischief for spray-painting graffiti on the school walls. * Vandalism, such as breaking windows, is a common form of malicious mischief.
Advanced Usage
- "To commit malicious mischief": This is the standard phrase for describing the act.
- The individuals were arrested for committing malicious mischief on public transit vehicles.
Variants and Related Words
- Vandalism (n): A more common, non-legal synonym for the willful destruction of property. While often used interchangeably, "malicious mischief" is the formal legal charge, whereas "vandalism" is the general term for the act.
- Criminal Mischief (n): A broader legal term used in some jurisdictions that encompasses malicious mischief but may also include other acts like tampering with property.
Synonyms
- Vandalism
- Willful damage
- Destruction of property
Related Idioms
- No direct idioms feature the exact phrase "malicious mischief." The concept is typically expressed directly or through the synonym "vandalism."
Noun
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willful wanton and malicious destruction of the property of others
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