malicious — having or showing a desire to cause harm to someone or something
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: having or showing a desire to cause harm to someone or something
Pronunciation (IPA): /məˈlɪʃəs/
Example Sentences
- The malicious hacker turned out to be a grandma who was bored with knitting.
- He filed a malicious lawsuit against his neighbor over a borrowed lawnmower.
- The cat gave me a malicious look before pushing my coffee mug off the table.
malicious
ADJECTIVE[/məˈlɪʃəs/]
having or showing a desire to cause harm to someone or something

Intent to cause harm to others

Male vicious dog growling maliciously at scared animals

Her delicious brew looks suspicious and malicious!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'malitiosus', derived from 'malitia' meaning 'badness' or 'ill-will', which comes from 'malus' meaning 'bad'. The word entered English through Old French.
Breakdown
mal- (bad) + -icious (adjective suffix) = malicious
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The malicious hacker turned out to be a grandma who was bored with knitting.”
“He filed a malicious lawsuit against his neighbor over a borrowed lawnmower.”
“The cat gave me a malicious look before pushing my coffee mug off the table.”
“The company was accused of malicious compliance with safety regulations.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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