Malicious - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Malicious means intending or intended to cause harm, damage, or distress. It describes actions, behavior, or software designed to hurt others or disrupt systems. The term often implies deliberate ill will.
Definition:
Intending or intended to cause harm, damage, or suffering.
Synonyms:
spiteful, malevolent, vindictive, cruel
Part of Speech:
adjective
Antonyms:
benevolent, kind
Common Collocations:
malicious intent, malicious gossip, malicious software
Derivatives:
maliciously, maliciousness
Usage Tips:
Use "malicious" to describe harmful actions or intentions, often deliberate and spiteful.
Common Phrases:
malicious intent, with malice aforethought, bear malice toward
Etymology:
From Latin "malitia," meaning "badness," derived from "malus" (bad).
Examples:
- 1. She gave him a malicious glare before turning away.
- 2. The hacker spread a malicious virus through email attachments.
- 3. His comments were clearly meant to be malicious and hurtful.
- 4. The rumor was started with malicious intent to ruin her reputation.