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Definition of malevolent

malevolent

/məˈlɛv.əl.ənt/
ma · lev · o · lent
Adverb:malevolently
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malevolent Lexical Profile

malevolent Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having or showing a wish or deliberate intention to do evil or cause harm to others.

Example

"In classic folklore, the forest was often depicted as the home of malevolent spirits that led travelers astray."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for malevolent

• Nearby Words

malefaction
maleness
malevolence
malevolent
malevolently
malformation
malformed

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the early 16th century from Latin malevolentem, the present participle of malevelle ('to wish ill'), formed from male ('badly') and velle ('to wish').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Malevolent. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/malevolent
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