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
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Recent Examples of malicious
These malicious scripts skim payment information directly from retailer codes as buyers check out.
—
Ethan Stone, USA Today, 11 May 2026
In addition, the Federal Trade Commission notes that nationwide credit bureaus — such as Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — offer free credit freezes and fraud alerts that consumers can set up to help protect themselves from identity theft and other malicious attacks.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
On top of all this, Apple says the warnings will definitely pop up if a command that’s been pasted in Terminal is known to be malicious.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 7 May 2026
The malicious Iranian regime is our national enemy.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for malicious
Ethan Stone, USA Today, 11 May 2026
In addition, the Federal Trade Commission notes that nationwide credit bureaus — such as Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — offer free credit freezes and fraud alerts that consumers can set up to help protect themselves from identity theft and other malicious attacks.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
On top of all this, Apple says the warnings will definitely pop up if a command that’s been pasted in Terminal is known to be malicious.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 7 May 2026
The malicious Iranian regime is our national enemy.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for malicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malicious
Adjective
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Another thankless gig leads Ben to Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li), a nightclub singer with ties to Brendan Gleeson‘s Silvermane, a vicious mobster engaged in an increasingly heated conflict with the city’s mayor (Michael Kostroff).—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
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There are the victims, their families, and lives left shattered because of a single person’s vicious wrath.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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In Sylvie’s imagination, Nita becomes Anna, a sultry beauty with a cruel streak who has been dating the meek Christophe (Niney) while secretly engaging in an affair with their married boss, Pierre (Cassel).—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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The first major climb of any Grand Tour is usually a cruel dose of reality — where teams, having built around a rider over the previous week, suddenly realise those sacrifices might have been in vain.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Given the current political climate, especially in Washington — created by the hateful Dems — a ballroom is essential for all members of both parties.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2026
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Michael’s hateful words come from a desperate desire not to return home, Moss-Bachrach says.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Those forests were previously home to bats, a natural reservoir for all kinds of nasty viruses.—
Neil Vora,
Time,
22 May 2026
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Still, his vice president’s now president, and his very, very nasty minister of justice is, some say, the power behind the throne.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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The malevolent Sidious put Maul through the wringer, torturing and manipulating him on his path to becoming a fearsome Sith Lord.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
19 May 2026
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The difference between this Andrew Wilson and the one from Whatever was remarkable—as was the fact that Rogan was prepared to host the benevolent version without any apparent concern for the malevolent one.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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However nasty and spiteful things get between the Butleys and the del Valles, there’s always the sense that a détente may still be possible.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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But again and again throughout Thursday's hearing, the fraying of bonds between Kennedy and his former party was on full display as spiteful comments were passed back and forth.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The therapist conceals her own malignant vices behind smiles and warmth, and the two share secrets that neither is prepared for.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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Doctors there found heart arrhythmia and a lung tumor his family feared was malignant.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malicious. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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