Thesaurus

malevolent

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of malevolent

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

Synonyms of malevolent

bad [slang], bitchy, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, vicious, virulent

Words Related to malevolent

devious, scoundrelly, scurvy, snakelike

acrimonious, bitter, envious, jaundiced, jealous, rancorous, resentful, vindictive, vitriolic

contemptuous, deprecating, derogatory, disdainful, disparaging, mean-spirited, obnoxious, opprobrious, scornful, snide, snotty, unkind, unkindly, unloving

baleful, baneful, evil

harsh, hostile, inimical

acrid, caustic, poisonous, scathing, venomous

Near Antonyms of malevolent

compassionate, good, good-hearted, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, warm, warmhearted

affable, agreeable, amiable, cordial, friendly, genial, gracious, nice, pleasant

affectionate, amorous, sweet, tender, tenderhearted

altruistic, high-minded, humanitarian, magnanimous, noble, philanthropic (also philanthropical)

Antonyms of malevolent

benevolent, benign, benignant, loving, unmalicious

Learn More about malevolent

See words that rhyme with malevolent Dictionary: Definition of malevolent Spanish Central: Translation of malevolent Nglish: Translation of malevolent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of malevolent for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up malevolent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

memento

something that serves to warn or remind

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games