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View synonyms for malicious

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
“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
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Derived Forms

  • maˈliciously, adverb
  • maˈliciousness, noun
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of malicious1

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English malicius, from Old French, from Latin malitiōsus; malice, -ous
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Example Sentences

He said anyone disseminating "unverified or malicious information", would be arrested and prosecuted.

From BBC

In her remarks from the bench, Hall said Carlson did not act with malicious intent.

The complaint had also accused Majors of intentional infliction of emotional distress and malicious prosecution.

In one case typical of those the BBC investigated, a judge called the firm's tactics “malicious”, referred to “aggressive letters” it had sent and repeatedly commented on the company’s poor management.

From BBC

The two countries' foreign ministers said in a joint statement: "Our European security is not only under threat from Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors."

From BBC

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