Thesaurus

malicious

adjective

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Synonyms & Antonyms of malicious

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

Synonyms for malicious

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

Words Related to malicious

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 for malicious

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

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

affectionate,
amorous,
sweet,
tender,
tenderhearted

humane

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

Antonyms for malicious

benevolent,
benign,
benignant,
loving,
unmalicious

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Cite this Entry

“Malicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malicious. Accessed 16 Jun. 2021.

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Thesaurus

malicious

Synonyms & Antonyms of malicious

Learn More About malicious