vandalise
Damage others' belongings
To vandalise is to deliberately damage or deface property, especially public property: Someone vandalised the bus shelter with spray paint.
The word carries connotations of senseless destruction rather than theft—damage for its own sake.
Vandalise is the British spelling; Americans use vandalize.
Damage a surface's appearance
- marSpoil the appearance
- scratchSuperficial wound or mark
- dentShallow surface depression
- crackNarrow break or attempt
smash · break · wreck · trash · key · slash · shatter · spray
Attaching identifying markers
- aerosolMist in gas
- stencilCutout pattern for painting
- bombingAttack with explosives
- throw-upsFast, simple graffiti letters
tags · pieces · scrawl · marker · etch · scratch · mural · slogan
Something owned or inherent
- carsMotor vehicles for travel
- windowsGlass-filled wall openings
- wallsVertical enclosing structures
- monumentsStructures commemorating notable achievements
statues · gravestones · mailboxes · benches · buses · trains · schools · playgrounds
Lesser criminal charge
- felonySerious criminal offense
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
- arrestSeize by law
charges · fine · restitution · juvenile · detention · probation · criminal damage · malicious mischief
Defiance of established power
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
- boredomWeary disinterest from monotony
thrill-seeking · gang activity · hate crime · political statement · dissent · spite · resentment · provocation
deface
Damage a surface's appearance
crack · smash · break · wreck · trash · key · slash · shatter · spray · etch
tagging
Attaching identifying markers
throw-ups · tags · pieces · scrawl · marker · etch · scratch · mural · slogan · gang signs
property
Something owned or inherent
monuments · statues · gravestones · mailboxes · benches · buses · trains · schools · playgrounds · signs
misdemeanor
Lesser criminal charge
- felonySerious criminal offense
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
arrest · charges · fine · restitution · juvenile · detention · probation · criminal damage · malicious mischief · property crime
rebellion
Defiance of established power
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
boredom · thrill-seeking · gang activity · hate crime · political statement · dissent · spite · resentment · provocation · intimidation
- car vandalismIntentional damage to vehicles
- school vandalismDeliberately damaging educational facilities
vandalism, vandalize, vandalizing, vandalized, vandalised, vandalises, vandalising, vandalizes, vandalization