Adolescence /ˌæd

toxic /ˈtɒk.sɪk/ /ˈtɑːk-/ adjective POISONOUS
1. poisonous
toxic waste/chemicals/effluent
toxic /ˈtɒk.sɪk/ /ˈtɑːk-/ adjective UNPLEASANT
2. informal very unpleasant or unacceptable
3. informal causing you a lot of harm and unhappiness over a long period of time
toxic parents
a toxic friendship


waste /weɪst/ noun UNWANTED MATTER
3. [ C or U ] unwanted matter or material of any type, often that which is left after useful substances or parts have been removed
Britain produces 20 million tonnes of household waste each year.
He opposes any kind of nuclear waste being dumped at sea.
Every day, 30 million gallons of untreated human waste (= excrement) flow from Ciudad Juarez into the Rio Grande.
Oil spills are common, as is the dumping of toxic industrial wastes.
The Japanese recycle more than half of their waste paper .
vandalism /ˈvæn.d ə l.ɪ.z ə m/ noun [ U ]
1. the crime of intentionally damaging property belonging to other people
Beset by drug problems, prostitution, violence and vandalism, this is one of the most unpleasant areas in the city.
These schools are known to be vulnerable to vandalism.
2. any activity that is considered to be damaging or destroying something that was good
Cutting down the old forest was an act of vandalism.
The advertising industry's use of classic songs is vandalism of popular culture, he said.
victim /ˈvɪk.tɪm/ noun [ C ]
1. someone or something which has been hurt, damaged or killed or has suffered, either because of the actions of someone or something else, or because of illness or chance
to provide financial aid to hurricane/flood, etc. victims
victims of crime
The children are the innocent/helpless victims of the fighting.
The new drug might help save the lives of cancer victims.
We appear to have been the victims of a cruel practical joke.
Our local hospital has become the latest victim of the cuts in government spending.
2. fall victim to sth
to be hurt, damaged or killed because of something or someone
In 1948, Gandhi fell victim to a member of a Hindu gang.
The company has fallen victim to increased competition.
violation /ˌvaɪəˈleɪ.ʃ ə n/ noun [ C or U ]
an action that breaks or acts against something, especially a law, agreement, principle or something that should be treated with respect
He claimed that the way he'd been treated was a gross violation of his civil/constitutional/human rights.
The takeover of the embassy constitutes a flagrant/blatant violation of international law.
It was clear that they had not acted in violation of the rules.
criminal /ˈkrɪm.ɪ.nəl/ adjective [ before noun ]
1. relating to crime
criminal activity a criminal act/offence criminal behaviour a criminal investigation
2. very bad or morally wrong