malicious

Definitions

Intending or intended to do harm.

Characterized by malice; motivated by wrongful, vicious, or mischievous purposes.

Examples

The hacker was arrested for spreading malicious software designed to steal personal banking information.

She felt hurt by the malicious rumors that were being spread about her behind her back.

The court found that the defendant had acted with malicious intent to cause harm to his business rival.

Synonyms

spiteful malevolent vindictive venomous nasty vicious harmful

Antonyms

benevolent kind friendly amiable benign compassionate helpful