VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

maleficent

adjective·Advancedliteraryrare

Last updated

UK/məˈlɛfɪsənt/
US/məˈlɛfəsənt/

Meaning

  1. adjectivecomparableliterary

    Doing harm or having a wicked nature, often as if by dark or magical power.

    Grammar: Usually placed before a noun: a maleficent spell; can follow a linking verb: her gaze was maleficent.

    Patterns

    • a maleficent force
    • maleficent intent

    In the old tale, a maleficent sorcerer cursed the village wells.

    The villain's maleficent smile made the children shiver.

    Some people blamed a maleficent influence for the string of accidents.

Word forms

comparativemore maleficent
superlativemost maleficent

Common combinations

maleficent spell
The witch cast a maleficent spell over the castle.
maleficent influence
He felt a maleficent influence at work in the old house.
maleficent intent
The letter showed clear maleficent intent.
maleficent power
The ring held a maleficent power that no one could explain.
maleficent creature
A maleficent creature lurked in the forest of the story.

Synonyms and how they differ

malevolent
Malevolent describes ill will in a person or look and is far more common, whereas maleficent stresses actually causing harm.
sinister
Sinister suggests a threatening, creepy mood, while maleficent points to deliberate evil or harmful action.
malicious
Malicious is an everyday word for spiteful behavior, but maleficent sounds grander and more fairy-tale.
evil
Evil is plainer and stronger morally, while maleficent is a literary choice with a hint of magic.

Opposites

beneficentbenevolentkind

Word family

maleficence noun
the quality of doing evil or harm
maleficently adverb
in a harmful or wicked way
maleficium noun
a historical term for evil magic or witchcraft

Commonly confused: maleficent or beneficent? maleficent or magnificent?

maleficent vs beneficent

Beneficent means doing good or being generous, nearly the exact opposite of maleficent, and the two sound alike.

maleficent vs magnificent

Magnificent means splendid or impressive and has nothing to do with harm, though the two words have similar endings.

Practice

Which word is closest in meaning to maleficent in the sentence, 'The fairy tale featured a maleficent queen'?

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “maleficent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words