: software designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning
Examples of malware in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to a 2020 Palo Alto Networks report, 83% of medical imaging devices were running on unsupported operating systems that no longer receive security patches, leaving them wide open to malware.
—
Srinivas Shekar, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Recommended by Our Editors Meanwhile, BleepingComputer reports that a software project would have needed to fulfill three criteria in order to have been affected with malware, limiting the attack's impact.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
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.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Aura Cost Plans from $9 to $25 per month, billed annually
Standout features
Protects against identity theft, financial fraud, spam calls, online theft, scam websites, viruses and malware.
—Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 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.
Srinivas Shekar, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Recommended by Our Editors Meanwhile, BleepingComputer reports that a software project would have needed to fulfill three criteria in order to have been affected with malware, limiting the attack's impact.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
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.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Aura Cost Plans from $9 to $25 per month, billed annually
Standout features
Protects against identity theft, financial fraud, spam calls, online theft, scam websites, viruses and malware.
—Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 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 12 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