malware

noun

mal·​ware ˈmal-ˌwer 

: software designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning

Examples of malware in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks recently studied websites at domain names whose URLs are frequently hallucinated by AI chatbots, discovering at some of these sites a range of malware and other malicious code. — David Berreby, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Aug. 2026

Whether delivering malicious content through phishing attacks, fraudulent payment requests or links to malware, notification abuse is a security issue that’s hard to ignore. — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

To compensate, attackers have increasingly relied on infostealer malware and adversary-in-the–middle attacks. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026

Exactly how the malware entered the city's systems, and who may be responsible, has not been detailed by officials. — Steve Large, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

malicious + -ware (as in software)

First Known Use

1990, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for malware

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids Definition

malware

noun

ˈmal-ˌwer 

: software designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning

Legal Definition

malware

noun

mal·​ware ˈmal-ˌwer 

: software that is designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning and that can be used to commit cybercrime (as by revealing passwords, PINs, and other sensitive data)

Etymology

mal- bad + software