malevolent

adjective

mə-ˈle-və-lənt How to pronounce malevolent (audio)
Definition of malevolentnext
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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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of malevolent The slow-burn thriller is partially based on a 17th century ballad in which the heroic outlaw’s cousin, a malevolent prioress, bleeds the older, ailing Robin to death under the guise of the ancient medical treatment known as bloodletting. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026 Ryan has also had some unexplained incidents involving an unseen, malevolent force. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026 The malevolent Sidious put Maul through the wringer, torturing and manipulating him on his path to becoming a fearsome Sith Lord. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 19 May 2026 The rapid rise of AI, while technologically dazzling, has prompted widespread anxieties on multiple fronts, including job security, human worth and potential misuse by malevolent actors looking to commit fraud, spread disinformation or foment hate. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for malevolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malevolent
  1. malicious
  2. vicious
  3. cruel
  4. hateful
Adjective
  • Anthropic has reported banning accounts and tightening filters after detecting attempts to use Claude for phishing emails, malicious code and safeguard bypasses.
    — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Rather than needing years of specialist knowledge, attackers can now use large language models to perform reconnaissance, identify weaknesses, write malicious code and map computer networks in ways that previously demanded significant expertise.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Definition of malicious
Adjective
  • The early Cold War liberals had read their history books and seen how the French Revolution had begun with high progressive hopes but descended into a vicious bloodbath.
    — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • After a similarly vicious storm struck the New York area late Friday, hundreds of thousands of utility customers were left without power, trains to New Jersey were canceled and thousands of trees were damaged or uprooted.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of vicious
Adjective
  • The heat has become so unbearable in Japan that weather officials in April announced a new term for days when maximum temperatures exceed 104 degrees — kokushobi, meaning harsh or cruel heat, according to the Japan Times.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the lack of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s cruelest consequences.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of cruel
Adjective
  • After about a month, when the social media and news backlash started to settle down, Johnson said the hateful comments stopped coming in.
    — Elijah Polance, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
  • White attributed most of the hateful comments to online agitators rather than true WNBA or Indiana Fever fans.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of hateful

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Cite this Entry

“Malevolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malevolent. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on malevolent

Nglish: Translation of malevolent for Spanish Speakers

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