maleficence
noun
ma·lef·i·cence
mə-ˈle-fə-sən(t)s 
1
a
: the act of committing harm or evil
b
: a harmful or evil act
2
: the quality or state of being maleficent
Examples of maleficence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One such instance recounts Lucarelli’s encounter with discrepancies in cash deposits during his tenure, unraveling a complex web of deceit and maleficence within the company’s ranks.
—
Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024
May Lord Vishnu always protect you from all enemies and maleficence.
—Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 17 Jan. 2023
Rayn’s line also features a modernized take on the evil eye amulet, long a symbol of warding off maleficence.
—Malina Saval, Variety, 24 Mar. 2022
Exceptionalism is easily misused, the seedbed upon which hate and maleficence can grow.
—Parker Richards, The New Republic, 17 Mar. 2022
The director Ryan White’s sensitive presentation and brilliant structure refuses to sensationalize the material, devoting long, haunting stretches of the series to victims’ trauma and institutional maleficence.
—Jason Bailey, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2020
Much of Christie’s unwaning appeal relies on incongruity—maleficence emerging in the most genteel of contexts, like strychnine in the tea—whereas the Thrombeys make no pretense of decency.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2019
Those opposed argue that helping a patient take her own life profoundly violates the principle of non-maleficence or avoiding harm.
—Sarah C. Hull, STAT, 8 Nov. 2019
Johnson’s is a quest for the holy under heaven, in a wilderness that has been degraded by the maleficence of God and man.
—William Giraldi, The Seattle Times, 4 Feb. 2018
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Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024
May Lord Vishnu always protect you from all enemies and maleficence.
—Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 17 Jan. 2023
Rayn’s line also features a modernized take on the evil eye amulet, long a symbol of warding off maleficence.
—Malina Saval, Variety, 24 Mar. 2022
Exceptionalism is easily misused, the seedbed upon which hate and maleficence can grow.
—Parker Richards, The New Republic, 17 Mar. 2022
The director Ryan White’s sensitive presentation and brilliant structure refuses to sensationalize the material, devoting long, haunting stretches of the series to victims’ trauma and institutional maleficence.
—Jason Bailey, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2020
Much of Christie’s unwaning appeal relies on incongruity—maleficence emerging in the most genteel of contexts, like strychnine in the tea—whereas the Thrombeys make no pretense of decency.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2019
Those opposed argue that helping a patient take her own life profoundly violates the principle of non-maleficence or avoiding harm.
—Sarah C. Hull, STAT, 8 Nov. 2019
Johnson’s is a quest for the holy under heaven, in a wilderness that has been degraded by the maleficence of God and man.
—William Giraldi, The Seattle Times, 4 Feb. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Maleficence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maleficence. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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