Meaning & use
malicious
Intending or showing a desire to harm someone, often through deliberate and spiteful actions.
See it in a sentence
Someone spread malicious rumors about her just before the election.
The hackers installed malicious software designed to steal banking information.
A note on using this word
In legal contexts, "malicious" indicates that harm was intentional, which can affect the severity of a charge.
Words with a similar meaning
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Words with an opposite meaning
Make it your own
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