malevolent

[ muh-lev-uh-luhnt ]

adjective

1. wishing evil or harm to another or others; showing ill will; ill-disposed; malicious:

   His failures made him malevolent toward those who were successful.

2. evil; harmful; injurious:

   a malevolent inclination to destroy the happiness of others.

3. Astrology. evil or malign in influence.

malevolent

/ məˈlɛvələnt /

adjective

1. wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; malicious
2. astrology having an evil influence

Derived Forms

• maˈlevolence, noun
• maˈlevolently, adverb

Other Words From

• ma·levo·lent·ly adverb
• unma·levo·lent adjective
• unma·levo·lent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of malevolent¹

First recorded in 1500–10; from Latin malevolent-, stem of malevolēns “ill-disposed, spiteful,” from male- male- + volēns “wanting” (present participle of velle “to want, wish for, desire”; will ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of malevolent¹

C16: from Latin malevolens, from male ill + volens, present participle of velle to wish

Example Sentences

We don’t think Rogan is a malevolent person, but he is credulous, and he was convinced.

From Slate

The malevolent among us will surely take heed.

From Los Angeles Times

Something dark and malevolent takes shape within.

From Slate

Under DeSantis, Florida has been a launching pad for goonishly malevolent assaults on the teaching of history in public schools, along with library bans targeting books with LGBTQ+ themes and addressing other important topics such as racism.

From Los Angeles Times

Behind the stage set of reality is a secret cabal of malevolent actors whose evil motives drive the world's seemingly random or explainable events.

From Salon

Related Words

• malicious
• malignant
• murderous
• sinister
• vengeful
• vicious
• wicked