This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
malevolent
[ muh-lev-uh-luhnt ]
/ mÉËlÉv É lÉnt /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
wishing evil or harm to another or others; showing ill will; ill-disposed; malicious: His failures made him malevolent toward those who were successful.
evil; harmful; injurious: a malevolent inclination to destroy the happiness of others.
Astrology. evil or malign in influence.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I canât figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of malevolent
OTHER WORDS FROM malevolent
ma·lev·o·lent·ly, adverbun·ma·lev·o·lent, adjectiveun·ma·lev·o·lent·ly, adverbWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH malevolent
maleficent, malevolentWords nearby malevolent
male pattern baldness, male-sterile, male-to-female, Malevich, malevolence, malevolent, malfeasance, malformation, malformed, malfunction, malgré lui
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use malevolent in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for malevolent
malevolent
/ (mÉËlÉvÉlÉnt) /
adjective
wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; malicious
astrology having an evil influence
Derived forms of malevolent
malevolence, nounmalevolently, adverbWord Origin for malevolent
C16: from Latin malevolens, from male ill + volens, present participle of velle to wish
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