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View synonyms for malicious

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • maˈliciously, adverb
  • maˈliciousness, noun
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of malicious1

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

Donald Trump, claiming a mandate from his narrow popular vote win, intends to purge the U.S. military from top to bottom and put a Fox News host in charge of the whole thing, hoping to root out any “woke” dissenters and install loyalists in their place who will not object to his using America’s armed forces in ways that may be ill-advised, malicious or both.

From Salon

In October, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick for US ambassador to the UN, accused China of “blatant and malicious election interference” amid reports that China-backed hackers attempted to gather information from the former president’s phones.

From BBC

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

From Salon

In a statement on Monday, Israel's international spokesperson to the UN said the country's ambassador, Danny Danon, "looks forward to working closely with Elise Stefanik on tackling malicious lies at the UN advanced by hostile nations while staying unswervingly committed to truth and justice".

From BBC

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

From BBC

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malice aforethoughtmalicious mischief