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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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 Artificial intelligence disguises itself as human, attempts to dupe a web developer and mounts a malicious cyberattack -- all on its own. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 When a user launches the annotation tool while sharing their screen, the bug allows attackers to remotely execute malicious code and access participants’ devices. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026 City officials said malicious software infected its IT systems Friday morning, affecting 911 routing, police and fire dispatch, records and other city services. — Steve Large, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 With the leading models becoming ever more powerful, their ability to act in malicious ways is turning into a major threat for corporations and governments, especially as the risk involves hacking into critical computer systems and infrastructure. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for malicious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for malicious

Adjective

But Roy’s story of Annie (Arjun Raina), a New Delhi architecture student caught in a vicious cycle of failing and repeating his studies, gradually reveals itself as a sharp and poignant portrayal of youth, deftly poised between hope and cynicism.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
Lawsuits, bureaucratic battles, boisterously divisive council arguments and vicious social media debates have been part of Bloomfield life for years, and intensified during Danielle Wong’s contentious time as mayor.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of vicious

Adjective

Oleksa watches them from the other end of the camera feed, in the middle of a gnarly interrogation with Kyle and Cruz — the latter silently watching Oleksa go through a cruel facsimile of her own violent recruitment crucible in the first season.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2026
Murder charge 'cruel and unusual,' advocate says Of cases where a child was unknowingly left in a car, about 41% do not lead to criminal charges against caregivers, Rollins said.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

The league's anti-hate committee was formed last year to deal with hateful and abusive online comments directed at players and the league.

— S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
But arguably the script by Jones and director Brunner might have been a skoosh more impactful if the small-minded townsfolk, clearly coded as bigoted MAGA types, weren’t quite so hateful with only a few exceptions.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of hateful

Adjective

The former Cardinal is an absolute brawler with over 90 NFL starts who brings the exact nasty, tone-setting violence this interior unit needs.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
Greg and Denise are having some marital issues, but everybody needs to put other concerns aside to stay alive with nasty raptors and other hungry beasties around.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of nasty

Adjective

In other cases Hoodoo was used to counter the threat of curses, as in the practice of suspending bottles from a tree to trap any malevolent spirits or witches traveling in spirit form.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
The Gwi Realm is a desolate, crimson wasteland littered with malevolent presence, so naturally there have been comparisons to that other little Netflix show called Stranger Things.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of malevolent

Adjective

The finding raises the possibility that some patients given this diagnosis may not have a malignant disease and may not need long-term cancer treatment.

— Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Trump obsessed, and is likely still obsessing about a malignant Chinese origin for the coronavirus.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of malignant

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malice

malicious

maliciously

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“Malicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malicious. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of malicious

adjective

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