as in malicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
the novel grossly oversimplified the conflict as a struggle between relentlessly malevolent villains on one side and faultless saints on the other
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Recent Examples of malevolent
Legacy ended with Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), son of Kevin Flynn, preventing the digital world from bleeding into the real world, as planned by the Grid's malevolent ruling program, Clu.
—
ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
Some went further still, suggesting without evidence that malevolent forces had orchestrated the killing.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
For some of them, especially those animated by the conviction — not entirely unreasonable — that real power in America lies with shadowy, malevolent and unaccountable forces, the Epstein mythology is too central to their worldview to let go of.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
But the new film, set in 1986, finds the Warrens dealing with a bunch of personal matters, as well as a Pennsylvania family haunted by a mirror cursed with malevolent spirits.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malevolent
ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
Some went further still, suggesting without evidence that malevolent forces had orchestrated the killing.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
For some of them, especially those animated by the conviction — not entirely unreasonable — that real power in America lies with shadowy, malevolent and unaccountable forces, the Epstein mythology is too central to their worldview to let go of.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
But the new film, set in 1986, finds the Warrens dealing with a bunch of personal matters, as well as a Pennsylvania family haunted by a mirror cursed with malevolent spirits.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malevolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malevolent
Adjective
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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,
18 Oct. 2025
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Beyond removing banners, pop-ups, and videos that automatically play, AdGuard also protects against phishing attempts and malicious ads that can compromise your security.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Those stiffed in this initial round are rendered unable to meet their own bills and a vicious cycle ensues.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
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In Black Phone 2, McGraw has been upgraded to the de facto lead actor, and Gwen’s foul-mouthed takedowns are even more vicious.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In Dahl’s original story, the Muggle-Wumps are clever and resourceful, using their smarts to turn the tables on their cruel captors.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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On the page, these serve to paint him in a monstrous light following his abandonment by his egotistical and cruel creator, Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac).—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Within Kansas politics, the scandal has raised serious questions about the connections between top officials and the staffers associated with the hateful messages.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
18 Oct. 2025
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Many figures not only on the Israeli right, but also in the West, argue that the Palestinian people and their cause are inherently hateful and prone to anti-Jewish violence.—
Hussein Ibish,
The Atlantic,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malevolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malevolent. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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