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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of malicious
Anyone who wanted to design malicious code, spoof websites, and bombard inboxes just had to pay anywhere from $70 to $5,600, depending on the version and level of access.
—
Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 7 May 2025
Riccardo looks forward to clearing his name of these false and malicious accusations.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025
Earlier this year, Baldwin filed a malicious prosecution civil lawsuit against New Mexico.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
The malicious link leads to the attacker’s proxy server that, thanks to the phishing-as-a-service toolkit, looks identical to the real Google login site (except for the URL displayed in the address window).
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for malicious
Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 7 May 2025
Riccardo looks forward to clearing his name of these false and malicious accusations.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025
Earlier this year, Baldwin filed a malicious prosecution civil lawsuit against New Mexico.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
The malicious link leads to the attacker’s proxy server that, thanks to the phishing-as-a-service toolkit, looks identical to the real Google login site (except for the URL displayed in the address window).
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for malicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malicious
Adjective
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But even when locked in a tense, deadly standoff with the vicious Barbie, Moulin doesn’t break, and his courage and silence helps lead to the liberation of France, while leaving behind a new spirit of strength and resistance.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
10 May 2025
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Bone Tomahawk Year: 2015 Runtime: 2h 11m Director: S. Craig Zahler S. Craig Zahler has become one of the most divisive filmmakers working today after three vicious, brutal movies — Bone Tomahawk, Brawl in Cell Block 99, and Dragged Across Concrete.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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But Church, who was profoundly affected by the 2023 Covenant school shooting in Nashville, imbues a real fear of what’s possibly around the corner in today’s cruel world.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2025
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This dynamic has created a cruel catch-22 which forces an impossible choice: register and risk immediate deportation, or refuse and become criminalized for noncompliance, destroying any path to legal status.—
Kica Matos,
Time,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Coupled with his hateful rhetoric, threats, lies, erratic policies, trampling of the Constitution and abnormal fascination with childish superlatives, tyrannical figures and Soviet-era style military parades, there’s much to be concerned about.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2025
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Despite the hateful rhetoric from left-wing Democrats fighting Trump’s efforts, Trump and his dream team won’t back down.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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The apps have a nasty trick that fools users into the initial download, and once on a phone, the damage is done.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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He’s been the spirit of the Panthers’ skillfully nasty style the previous two springs.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Their love and faith are soon tested by a malevolent presence.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
9 May 2025
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Becca’s disintegration emphasizes the parts of her that endure; the avatar, on the other hand, is a parody of that real flesh, an uncanny and malevolent imitation.—
Alexandra Kleeman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Several diss tracks followed, with the musicians hurling increasingly spiteful insults at each other relating to accusations of domestic abuse, exploitation and pedophilia.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Mar. 2025
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The more spiteful Drake could smell a world of buff, misogynistic grifters taking hold and made sure to set up shop where the audience would be.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Last month, my son reached two years in remission from a rare, malignant cancer that almost took his eye and his life.—
Dayna Copeland,
The Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2025
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After a series of tests, Karen was diagnosed with a glioma of the pons, a malignant tumor growing within the middle part of her brain stem.—
Jackie Tempera,
People.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malicious. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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