: software designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning
Examples of malware in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
This command would secretly connect their computer to the hacker’s server and download malware capable of acting as a backdoor.
—Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Instead of including a real image, the email linked to malware capable of extracting data from recipients’ devices, according to Genians.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
You will be told this is to check for malware on your device, because a hacker has gained access to your bank accounts.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malware
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
This command would secretly connect their computer to the hacker’s server and download malware capable of acting as a backdoor.
—Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Instead of including a real image, the email linked to malware capable of extracting data from recipients’ devices, according to Genians.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
You will be told this is to check for malware on your device, because a hacker has gained access to your bank accounts.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malware
Cite this Entry
“Malware.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malware. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share