malevolent

/mə'levələnt/

Thân thiện

A malevolent figure lurks in the shadows of the old castle.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Wishing or intending to cause harm or evil to others; characterized by intense ill will or hatred: This describes a person, entity, or feeling that actively desires bad things to happen to others.
   • Having or exerting a harmful or malignant influence: This sense is often used in more formal or literary contexts to describe forces or things that seem to cause harm.

Usage Examples

• Describing a person's character or feelings:
  • The villain in the story was truly malevolent, taking pleasure in the suffering of others.
  • She gave him a malevolent glare that made him step back in fear.
• Describing an influence or force:
  • The ancient tomb was said to be guarded by a malevolent spirit.
  • They blamed their misfortunes on malevolent fate.

Advanced Usage

• "malevolent intent": harmful purpose or intention.
  • The prosecutor argued that the crime was committed with malevolent intent.
• "malevolent influence": a harmful effect or power.
  • The cult was under the malevolent influence of its charismatic leader.

Variants and Related Words

• Malevolence (noun): The quality or state of being malevolent; ill will.
  • His actions were fueled by pure malevolence.
• Malevolently (adverb): In a malevolent manner.
  • He smiled malevolently as his plan unfolded.

Synonyms

• Malicious: characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm.
• Malignant: very virulent or infectious; (of a disease) very severe and harmful; (of a person or their behavior) showing a deep-seated desire to cause harm.
• Spiteful: showing or caused by malice.
• Vicious: deliberately cruel or violent.
• Wicked: evil or morally wrong.

Antonyms

• Benevolent: well meaning and kindly.
• Benign: gentle and kindly; (of a disease) not harmful in effect.
• Kind: having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature.

Idioms and Phrases

• "With malevolent glee": taking great pleasure in causing harm or misfortune.
  • The critic reviewed the author's failed novel with malevolent glee.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having or exerting a malignant influence
   • malevolent stars
   • a malefic force
2. wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
   • a gossipy malevolent old woman
   • failure made him malevolent toward those who were successful

Từ đồng nghĩa

• malefic
• malign
• evil