WordGarden.iomalicious
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /məlˈɪʃəs/
US
- /məˈlɪʃəs/
Meanings
Adjective
intending to harm, hurt, or upset someone
in law, done intentionally with wrongful intent or without just cause
in computing, designed to damage, exploit, or secretly access a system
Beyond the definition
A malicious act isn't just careless - it's deliberately meant to cause harm or suffering. Think of a villain in a story, planning something awful; that's malicious intent. It goes beyond simple anger and shows a desire to see someone else get hurt. You might describe gossip as malicious if it's spread to ruin someone's reputation. Sometimes, even a small act can be malicious if it is driven by spite.
The word often carries a sense of planned cruelty. A broken machine isn't malicious; it's just broken. But a bully who deliberately trips someone is acting maliciously. You might also hear "malicious compliance," which means following instructions exactly, even though you know it will cause problems - often out of spite.
The word "malicious" describes something marked by deep ill-will or a deliberate desire to cause harm, damage, or suffering. It's more than just being mean; it implies a calculated intent to cause pain, whether physical, emotional, or reputational.
You'll often encounter "malicious" when discussing crimes or wrongdoing. A "malicious prosecution" is bringing legal charges knowing they are false and with the intention of harming someone. Similarly, "malice aforethought" is a legal term describing premeditation in murder. But it doesn't have to be limited to serious offenses.
A malicious rumor, for example, isn't just untrue; it's spread with the intent to damage someone's character. A malicious prank goes beyond harmless fun and aims to cause real distress. Even a computer virus can be described as malicious because its purpose is to harm systems or steal data.
The root of "malicious" comes from the Latin word "malus," meaning "bad" or "evil." It suggests deep negativity and a willingness to inflict pain on others. While anger might be impulsive, malice is cold and deliberate. So when you describe something as malicious, you're pointing to not just the harm it causes, but also the dark intent behind it - a desire to see someone else suffer.
Examples
- 1
Online comments
She was hurt by the malicious comments about her online.
- 2
Intent
It was a careless mistake, not a malicious act.
- 3
Reputation attack
The rumor was part of a malicious attempt to damage his reputation.
- 4
Legal intent
Police found no evidence of malicious intent.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Cybersecurity
The email contained a malicious link that stole users' passwords.
- 6
Business attack
The company blamed the false reviews on a malicious campaign by a competitor.
See also
Similar
- spiteful
- ill-intentioned
- malevolent
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- benevolent
- well-intentioned
Used with (collocations)
- malicious intent
- malicious gossip
- malicious attack
- malicious software
Word family
Explore
- malware
- motive
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- maliciousadjective