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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Recent Examples of malicious
In that case, the charging order is violated (and the LLC could theoretically be held in contempt), but the debtor did not engage in any willful or malicious conduct because of the LLC's actions.
—
Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Murphy is not acting alone, however, as he’s been assigned to the journey out of a labor camp run by a merciless, tobacco-spitting boss (Russell Crowe) — and some in his merriless band turn out to be savvier, and more malicious, than others.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
Their faltering attempt at a total crackdown—which can’t muzzle the anger and bravery of ordinary people—and its general odor of malicious incompetence, is even seeping into the White House’s hermetic media echo chamber.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
He's charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle, malicious destruction of property over $1,200, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
—Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malicious
Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Murphy is not acting alone, however, as he’s been assigned to the journey out of a labor camp run by a merciless, tobacco-spitting boss (Russell Crowe) — and some in his merriless band turn out to be savvier, and more malicious, than others.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
Their faltering attempt at a total crackdown—which can’t muzzle the anger and bravery of ordinary people—and its general odor of malicious incompetence, is even seeping into the White House’s hermetic media echo chamber.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
He's charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle, malicious destruction of property over $1,200, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
—Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malicious
Adjective
-
Though initial jobless claims hit their highest level in nearly two months last week, the move was largely attributed to a vicious and widespread winter storm that affected large parts of the nation.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
-
As Dee takes Taylor under his wing, a vicious attack tests their bond, forcing Taylor to choose between protecting Dee and his own parole chances.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Young people are growing up in a climate that can feel cruel, divided or lonely.—
Julie Ruth Owen,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
-
And cutting nurses’ health care benefits is just cruel.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This is not the first time that Peacock has taken to social media to ask viewers to refrain from sending hateful messages.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Since 2004, Orange County also has been predominantly nonwhite, but some conservative families, such as Woodward’s, bond over a hateful ideology.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Despite defeat, and a nasty fall, Anne would return to England at the end of the Games, paying homage to her country and the spirit of the British team by choosing to wear their uniform, a light blue suit with white hat, during the trip.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
6 Feb. 2026
-
On Friday, stocks surged after a nasty bout of selling this past week, when software stocks, bitcoin and other risk-on favorites led the market lower.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But Saccharine slips off the rails, especially once Hana convinces Josie that Bertha’s spirit has latched onto her in malevolent ways, growing bigger and stronger all the time.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
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The deceased individuals who were subjected to corpse-killing were not always once powerful and malevolent, like King Abel.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Melvin Williams, a professor of communication and media studies at Pace University, says the spiteful nature of Swift and Lively's texts doesn't reflect well on either woman − and both have probably lost some fans as a result.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
-
If not for Camilla, who’d gone out of her way to take Regina in, even letting her share the bedroom with her and Lalla, the others wouldn’t have welcomed her—not out of spite, no, because none of them were spiteful after all, but out of indifference, selfishness, plain and simple.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Mancini then missed the 2020 season after surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his colon.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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The dogs learn how to identify the cancer by smelling three boxes, with one containing a sample of malignant blood.—
Stephanie Stahl,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malicious. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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