malicious mischief

noun

: willful, wanton, or reckless damage to or destruction of another's property

Examples of malicious mischief in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Sherman will have to return to court Friday morning for a hearing on four pending charges: misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes of second degree criminal trespass and third degree malicious mischief (with domestic violence designations), DUI, and resisting arrest. Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 15 July 2021 Sherman, who was released from jail Thursday, had a court arraignment scheduled Friday on five criminal charges: driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless endangerment of road workers, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest and malicious mischief. CBS News, 16 July 2021 Sherman, who spent the past three seasons with the 49ers and is vice president of the NFL Players Association executive committee, is in custody at the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle, facing charges of burglary domestic violence, resisting arrest and malicious mischief. Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 July 2021 Murray was booked at the Clark County jail on accusations of second-degree burglary, third-degree theft, second-degree malicious mischief and first-degree arson. oregonlive, 14 Sep. 2022 See all Example Sentences for malicious mischief 

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of malicious mischief was in 1769

Dictionary Entries Near malicious mischief

Cite this Entry

“Malicious mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malicious%20mischief. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

malicious mischief

noun
malicious mis·​chief
: the act or offense of intentionally damaging or destroying another's property (as from feelings of ill will) compare vandalism
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