MALICIOUS Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

malicious

adjective

mə-ˈli-shəs

Definition of malicious

as in vicious

having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it the neighborhood chatterbox has again been spreading malicious gossip

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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 malicious 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 For John Sugar, Los Angeles is certainly starting to feel like a city of Guardian Angels — all with malicious intent. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026 The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office has charged Bonnette, of Woodbury, with malicious punishment of a child. — Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026 This ability to transfer malicious prompts between models significantly increases the attack’s feasibility, Cao wrote. — Edd Gent, IEEE Spectrum, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for malicious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for malicious

Adjective

Yet falling behind on payments could result in a vicious cycle of debt, experts say.

— Stephanie Dhue,Sharon Epperson, CNBC, 14 July 2026
As Earth warms, more permafrost melts, releasing even more methane and creating a vicious cycle.

— Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 13 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

Although Fang was charged in a single incident, authorities allege the defendant was responsible for a string of hateful messages found across the Northern California campus.

— Seamus Bozeman, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
In that film’s story, Insiang (Hilda Koronel) metes out revenge against Dado (Ruel Vernal), her hateful mother’s lover, who rapes her after rejecting his advances.

— Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 10 July 2026

Definition of hateful

Adjective

Lyndsy Fonseca, rapper Russ, Tom Cavanagh, Hunter King, Joseph Lee Anderson and Rob Riggle star in the indie film, which concerns a group of campers who run into a nasty, giant, prehistoric spider.

— William Earl, Variety, 15 July 2026
At that point, a nasty nearly $7 million a day ticking fee takes effect that will find Paramount on the hook for hundreds of millions out to WBD shareholders each month until the matter gets regulatory approval.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 July 2026

Definition of nasty

Adjective

There’s a reason Hollywood thrives on harmless, lovable characters that turn into malevolent, even homicidal, threats.

— Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Peter Gosselin Washington Moyn’s article and the accompanying cover photograph—showing old people as malevolent and evil—were not up to the usual standards of Harper’s Magazine.

— Peter Gosselin, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Definition of malevolent

Adjective

Various types of cancer, in which malignant tumors invade surrounding tissues, contributed to between 13,000 and 20,000 deaths annually in this time frame.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Asymptomatic lesions discovered incidentally in populations could also be monitored en masse to generate a robust database that would help researchers learn which types of lesions are more (or less) likely to turn malignant.

— Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of malignant

Browse Nearby Words

malice

malicious

maliciously

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“Malicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malicious. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of malicious

adjective

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