malicious

[muh-lish-uhs]

adjective

1. full of, characterized by, or showing malice; intentionally harmful; spiteful.

   malicious gossip.

2. Law.,  vicious, wanton, or mischievous in motivation or purpose.

malicious

/ məˈlɪʃəs /

adjective

1. characterized by malice

2. motivated by wrongful, vicious, or mischievous purposes

Other Word Forms

• maliciously adverb
• maliciousness noun
• nonmalicious adjective
• nonmaliciously adverb
• semimalicious adjective
• semimaliciously adverb
• unmalicious adjective
• unmaliciously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of malicious¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English malicius, from Old French, from Latin malitiōsus; malice, -ous

Example Sentences

In August, USA Today reported that ICE sent an email solicitation to deputies nationwide, leading the head of the National Sheriff’s Assn. to call the move “either galactically stupid or purposefully malicious.”

From Los Angeles Times

But the hacker would not say if they have successfully stolen private data from JLR or installed malicious software onto the company's network.

From BBC

A 59-year-old man from Great Harwood was arrested earlier by Lancashire Police on suspicion of malicious communications and has since been released under investigation.

From BBC

His company has demonstrated how instructions and malicious programs can be hidden in Word documents, images and databases, and activated when AI processes them.

From BBC

Police have launched inquiries into the malicious group, which told pupils "not to let parents know" they had been added to the chat.

From BBC

Related Words

• malevolent 
• malignant 
• mischievous 
• nasty 
• pernicious 
• petty 
• spiteful 
• vengeful 
• venomous 
• vicious 
• virulent 
• wicked