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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm
the maliciousness of some Internet trolls led the editor to start moderating comments on the site
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of malicious
Annika Kim Constantino,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 22 May 2025
Even today, in the face of clear evidence that the regime leverages investment and commercial relations to accomplish malicious ends, countries continue to accept Chinese money.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
The ransomware attacks in question started with malicious Google Ads deployed by the threat actors.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Butler was charged with second-degree murder, malicious wounding and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, police said.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for malicious
Adjective
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that blocks victims from accessing their computer files, systems and networks, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
—Annika Kim Constantino,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 22 May 2025
Even today, in the face of clear evidence that the regime leverages investment and commercial relations to accomplish malicious ends, countries continue to accept Chinese money.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
The ransomware attacks in question started with malicious Google Ads deployed by the threat actors.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Butler was charged with second-degree murder, malicious wounding and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, police said.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for malicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malicious
Adjective
-
The original 2006 film, which was adapted from Lauren Weisberger’s book of the same name, starred Meryl Streep as the powerful Miranda Priestley, Anne Hathaway as fashion newbie Andy Sachs, Emily Blunt as vicious assistant Emily and Stanley Tucci as Miranda’s right hand man Nigel.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
23 May 2025
-
Wolves are vicious and intelligent group hunters, but dogs and thunderstorms famously do not mix.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
As to the media statements, Cook could not offer adequate proof of one element ― malice ― and so could not make out a prima facie case for defamation as to the media statements.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
-
The actress, however, bore no malice, moving to Europe until her death from a brain tumor in 2011, aged 58.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
But then perhaps that is her unsatisfying but depressingly undeniable point: there is no challenging minds this small, behaviors this cruel, spirits this mean.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
30 May 2025
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The reason Evin is infamous is because of its terribly cruel high security detention centers that are poorly supervised by the Prison Chief.—
Jeff Kaufman,
Time,
30 May 2025
Noun
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The venom also disrupts blood clotting, leading to internal bleeding and further complications.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
23 May 2025
-
Brunson adapts to pressure, then punishes it — like a snake that builds immunity to its predator’s venom.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Of note: Your Content must not be false, defamatory, misleading or hateful, or infringe any copyright or any other third-party rights or otherwise be unlawful.—
Will Matsuda,
New York Times,
23 May 2025
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The league is focused on four key areas: enhanced technological features to detect hateful comments online; increased emphasis on team, arena and league security measures; reinforcing mental health resources; and alignment of core against hate.—
Doug Feinberg,
Chicago Tribune,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
Well, as referenced above, the United States was coming out of a nasty recession tied to the crisis in the mortgage market.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
Depending on a team to string together hits — or even contact — to score multiple runs in an inning against pitchers with nasty stuff is a hard way to win.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Soon, a malevolent fetch -- his ghostly double -- emerges, taunting him with hallucinations of his dead son and dragging him toward the brink of madness.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 May 2025
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Mike Tyson spent half a decade wearing nothing but a towel to the center of the boxing ring, letting his malevolent fists do the talking.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
22 May 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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Malicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malicious. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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