maliciousness

[muh-lish-uhs-nis]

noun

1. the fact or quality of being spiteful or intentionally harmful.

   When these students present their poems to their peers, the response may include some kidding around, but never any maliciousness.

Other Word Forms

• nonmaliciousness noun
• semimaliciousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of maliciousness¹

malicious + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

“It’s really fun to dial up the maliciousness and the duplicitous nature of a woman,” Cooke adds.

From Los Angeles Times

"More and more people are using this subject for their own purposes and displaying maliciousness, this is not my intention," he added.

From BBC

But she said their lack of apparent remorse “shows a callousness and maliciousness that disgusts me.”

From Washington Post

The nibblers were from a local government whose maliciousness was transparent.

From Washington Post

He’s quick to add that if he’d detected racist maliciousness in the remark, he would have taken action.

From New York Times