malicious

[ muh-lish-uhs ]

adjective

1. full of, characterized by, or showing malice; intentionally harmful; spiteful:

   malicious gossip.

2. Law. vicious, wanton, or mischievous in motivation or purpose.

malicious

/ məˈlɪʃəs /

adjective

1. characterized by malice
2. motivated by wrongful, vicious, or mischievous purposes

Derived Forms

• maˈliciously, adverb
• maˈliciousness, noun

Other Words From

• ma·li·cious·ly adverb
• ma·li·cious·ness noun
• non·ma·li·cious adjective
• non·ma·li·cious·ly adverb
• sem·i·ma·li·cious adjective
• sem·i·ma·li·cious·ly adverb
• un·ma·li·cious adjective
• un·ma·li·cious·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of malicious¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English malicius, from Old French, from Latin malitiōsus; malice, -ous

Example Sentences

The two countries' foreign ministers said in a joint statement: "Our European security is not only under threat from Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors."

From BBC

Emmanuel Nabugodi appeared for the sentencing on Monday after pleading guilty last week to four charges, including hate speech and spreading malicious information about the president.

From BBC

Finally, more than a year after the crime was reported, the constable told me the suspect would be charged with an offence of malicious communications by sending an offensive, indecent or threatening message.

From BBC

This replacement is allegedly enabled by weak or malicious cosmopolitan elites, often identified as Jewish.

From Salon

"It wasn't in a malicious way, it was more flagging that we didn't have the right package," Jon said.

From BBC

Related Words

• malevolent
• malignant
• mischievous
• nasty
• pernicious
• petty
• spiteful
• vengeful
• venomous
• vicious
• virulent
• wicked