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

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

“A lot of that stuff really wasn’t malicious like I thought it was during the game,” Foster said, “so I was just proud that it was some stuff that we can correct.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Mr. Wayne will defend himself in court. He will file a claim for malicious prosecution once he prevails.”

From Los Angeles Times

The parent said the teens would often play a game where they turned off the lights and tried to “scare” other players, but said it was not malicious.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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