malefic

[ muh-lef-ik ]

adjective

1. productive of evil; malign; doing harm; baneful:

   a malefic spell.

Word History and Origins

Origin of malefic¹

First recorded in 1645–55, malefic is from the Latin word maleficus evil-doing, wicked. See male-, -fic

Example Sentences

Expect a touch of the supernatural, malefic colleagues and plenty of eccentricity.

From Washington Post

Sergeant Hicks said in a malefic whisper that seemed to hiss out of his bowels.

From Literature

Like a malefic kitten with a ball of string, she would tangle his emotions until he lost all distinction between love and hate, joy and sorrow.

From Literature

Photograph: EPA For Stone, the US has, ever since those two fateful days in August 1945, been in the malefic grip of the military and hegemonic delusions.

From The Guardian

In Peel’s world, malefic forces in the U.S. government and corporations prey on unsuspecting patients by rummaging through their history/physical.

From Forbes

Related Words

• adverse
• bad
• catastrophic
• damaging
• destructive
• detrimental
• disadvantageous
• disastrous
• inimical
• noxious
• painful
• pernicious
• risky
• ruinous
• sinful
• toxic
• unhealthy
• unsafe