vandalism

[/ˈvændəlɪzəm/]
nounmasculinepl: vandalisms
vandalismo
1. Deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property
The vandalism of the school building resulted in costly repairs.
O vandalismo do prédio escolar resultou em reparos caros.
2. Wanton or deliberate destruction of beautiful or valuable things
Spray-painting graffiti on historical monuments is considered vandalism.
Pintar grafite em monumentos históricos é considerado vandalismo.
3. Criminal behavior involving malicious destruction of property
The teenager was arrested for vandalism after breaking car windows.
O adolescente foi preso por vandalismo depois de quebrar vidros de carros.
In Brazil, especially São Paulo, 'pixação' (tagging) occupies a gray area between vandalism and street art, with cultural significance in hip-hop and urban culture. In the USA, vandalism is strictly illegal and associated with criminal charges. The term reflects societal values regarding property rights and public space maintenance.
NYC Slang
tagging, bombing, or getting busted for destruction of property
Synonyms / Sinônimos
destructiondefacementsabotagedesecrationmalicious mischief
Antonyms / Antônimos
preservationprotectionrestorationconservation

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
vandalismo
Standard term used across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
vandalismo; depredação
Depredação also commonly used in legal contexts
São Paulo
vandalismo; pixação
Pixação refers specifically to tagging/graffiti, a cultural practice
Portugal
vandalismo; destruição intencional
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; occasionally specified as 'destruição intencional'

Related Words

vandalvandalizegraffitiproperty damagedelinquency

Related Idioms & Phrases

act of vandalism
commit vandalism
vandalism charges
prevent vandalism
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