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 see it when any elite is able to get away with a malevolent act because elites protect each other.

From The Daily Beast

But when the specious claims are directed at the parents of autistic children, the situation has gone from silly to malevolent.

From The Daily Beast

Instead, it makes me appear capricious, malevolent and cruel.

From The Daily Beast

The only malevolent presence in the house that night was a gang of snickering boys and one put-upon girlfriend.

From The Daily Beast

As an African-American, I have experienced racism in all its malevolent forms.

From The Daily Beast

It sent a shiver through me, and even old Piegan stood aghast at the malevolent determination of the man.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a man of learning and abilities, but a violent party writer, and a severe and malevolent critic.

From Project Gutenberg

Her disposition was sour and malevolent, despite its elegant veneer.

From Project Gutenberg

Suddenly it seemed a malevolent place, oppressive, threatening, grim in spite of its beauty.

From Project Gutenberg

Now was the opportunity to repay him for those malevolent letters.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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