as in villainously
in a mean or spiteful manner
maliciously tried to ruin her reputation
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Recent Examples of maliciously
The legislation from Attorney General Brenna Bird also raises the penalties for threatening judges or their families and maliciously sharing their personal information.
—
Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 25 Feb. 2026
That language is weaponized so maliciously throughout Aïnouz’s second English-language feature speaks to his intent to unnerve the audience relentlessly.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2026
Patel’s complaint alleges he was maliciously prosecuted and deprived of due process.
—Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 9 Feb. 2026
The tragedy is how this movement spreads maliciously across the spectrum.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2026
In other words, the Alabama court would determine whether Campbell had willfully and maliciously violated the charging orders, and that determination would then guide the bankruptcy court as to whether Campbell's debt to Radiance Capital would be excepted from discharge.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The charge against the hunter, Shane Huffman, was dismissed due to insufficient evidence, and Huffman is now claiming in the lawsuit that he was falsely arrested and maliciously prosecuted.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 22 Jan. 2026
Stephen Pittman, 19, was charged in federal court with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by fire or explosive in connection with the weekend arson at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Pittman was charged with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire or an explosive.
—Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 25 Feb. 2026
That language is weaponized so maliciously throughout Aïnouz’s second English-language feature speaks to his intent to unnerve the audience relentlessly.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2026
Patel’s complaint alleges he was maliciously prosecuted and deprived of due process.
—Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 9 Feb. 2026
The tragedy is how this movement spreads maliciously across the spectrum.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2026
In other words, the Alabama court would determine whether Campbell had willfully and maliciously violated the charging orders, and that determination would then guide the bankruptcy court as to whether Campbell's debt to Radiance Capital would be excepted from discharge.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The charge against the hunter, Shane Huffman, was dismissed due to insufficient evidence, and Huffman is now claiming in the lawsuit that he was falsely arrested and maliciously prosecuted.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 22 Jan. 2026
Stephen Pittman, 19, was charged in federal court with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by fire or explosive in connection with the weekend arson at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Pittman was charged with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire or an explosive.
—Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maliciously
Adverb
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In other words, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.—
Derek Robertson,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Women who took the stand described being viciously attacked after they had been isolated, often after they had been drugged with date rape drugs and other sedatives.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
An arm of the IRGC, the Basij are paramilitary volunteers notorious among Iranians for taking the lead in viciously attacking protesters in the streets.—
Kay Armin Serjoie,
Time,
1 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Behind the front, bitterly cold Arctic air filters back into the area.—
Andrew Kozak,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Since October last year, Russia has intensified its drone and missile attacks on the Ukrainian energy system, knocking out electricity and heat and plunging millions of Ukrainians into long blackouts during bitterly cold winter temperatures.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Images of Labubus beamed malevolently from their packaging, as if gloating in their unreachability.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
20 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
And so wickedly smart to call it.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Fortune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
And so wickedly smart to call it.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maliciously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maliciously. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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