Malicious Meaning in English
word
Definition
Intending or wishing to harm, hurt, or upset someone or something; having harmful or evil motives.
Usage & Nuances
'Malicious' is formal and often used to describe intent behind mean actions (e.g., 'malicious gossip', 'malicious software'). It is stronger than 'mean' or 'unkind' and suggests deliberate harm. Common in law, technology, and everyday formal English.
Spanish: malicioso - malévoloPortuguese (BR): malicioso - maldosoPortuguese (PT): malicioso - maldosoChinese (Simplified): 恶意的Chinese (Traditional): 惡意的Hindi: दुष्ट - दुर्भावनापूर्णArabic: خبيث - ضارBengali: হানিকর - বিদ্বেষপরায়ণRussian: злонамеренный - вредоносныйJapanese: 悪意のあるVietnamese: độc hại - ác ýKorean: 악의적인Turkish: kötü niyetli - zarar vericiUrdu: بدنیت - ضرر رساIndonesian: jahat - berbahaya
Example Sentences
A malicious virus damaged my computer.
basic
Her malicious smile made everyone uncomfortable.
basic
Don’t open that email—it might contain malicious software.
natural
Sometimes, people post malicious comments online just to hurt others.
natural
His malicious intent was obvious from the way he spoke to her.
natural
He spread malicious rumors about his coworker.
basic