Malevolent — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /mə-ˈle-və-lənt/ ma·lev·o·lent

Meaning & Definition of Malevolent

Malevolent (adjective)

  1. having, showing, or coming from intense often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred
  2. productive of harm or evil

Malevolent (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it

    "the novel grossly oversimplified the conflict as a struggle between relentlessly malevolent villains on one side and faultless saints on the other"

    similar: bad (slang), bitchy, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, vicious, virulent
    related: devious, scoundrelly, scurvy, snakelike, acrimonious, bitter, envious, jaundiced, jealous, rancorous, resentful, vindictive, vitriolic, contemptuous, deprecating, derogatory, disdainful, disparaging, mean-spirited, obnoxious, opprobrious, scornful, snide, snotty, unkind, unkindly, unloving, baleful, baneful, evil, harsh, hostile, inimical, acrid, caustic, poisonous, scathing, venomous
    opposite: benevolent, benign, benignant, loving, unmalicious
    near: compassionate, good, good-hearted, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, warm, warmhearted, affable, agreeable, amiable, cordial, friendly, genial, gracious, nice, pleasant, affectionate, amorous, sweet, tender, tenderhearted, humane, altruistic, high-minded, humanitarian, magnanimous, noble, philanthropic

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Malevolent

The most common words with a similar meaning to Malevolent:

Slang: bad
bitchy, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, vicious, virulent

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Malevolent

Words with the opposite meaning of Malevolent:

benevolent, benign, benignant, loving, unmalicious

Related Words for Malevolent

devious, scoundrelly, scurvy, snakelike, acrimonious, bitter, envious, jaundiced, jealous, rancorous, resentful, vindictive, vitriolic, contemptuous, deprecating, derogatory, disdainful, disparaging, mean-spirited, obnoxious, opprobrious, scornful, snide, snotty, unkind, unkindly, unloving, baleful, baneful, evil

Near Antonyms of Malevolent

compassionate, good, good-hearted, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, warm, warmhearted, affable, agreeable, amiable, cordial, friendly, genial, gracious, nice, pleasant, affectionate, amorous, sweet, tender, tenderhearted, humane, altruistic, high-minded, humanitarian, magnanimous, noble, philanthropic

Word Forms of Malevolent

Derived words: malevolently (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Malevolent

Latin malevolent-, malevolens, from male badly + volent-, volens, present participle of velle to wish mal-, will

First known use: 1509

Frequently Asked Questions about Malevolent

What does "Malevolent" mean?

"Malevolent" means having, showing, or coming from intense often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred. As an adjective, it is defined as: having, showing, or coming from intense often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred.

What is another word for "Malevolent"?

Other words for "Malevolent" include bad, bitchy, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malicious and malign. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Malevolent" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Malevolent"?

There are 52 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Malevolent". Common alternatives include bad, bitchy, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malicious, malign, malignant and mean.

What is the opposite of "Malevolent"?

Antonyms of "Malevolent" include benevolent, benign, benignant, loving and unmalicious. Near antonyms include compassionate, good, good-hearted and kind.

How do you use "Malevolent" in a sentence?

Examples of "Malevolent" in a sentence: "the novel grossly oversimplified the conflict as a struggle between relentlessly malevolent villains on one side and faultless saints on the other".

Is "Malevolent" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Malevolent" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Malevolent"?

"Malevolent" is pronounced /mə-ˈle-və-lənt/ and divided into syllables as ma·lev·o·lent.

What is the origin of the word "Malevolent"?

"Malevolent" comes from Latin malevolent-, malevolens, from male badly + volent-, volens, present participle of velle to wish mal-, will. First known use: 1509.