malevolent
3 synonyms and 3 antonyms for malevolent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Wishing harm on others; having ill will.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use malevolent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
malevolent intent
a malevolent smile
malevolent force
Etymology
From Latin male ("badly") and volens ("wishing"), from velle ("to wish") — literally "wishing badly" on someone.
Full origin of malevolent →Frequently asked questions
What does “malevolent” mean?
The word “malevolent” means wishing harm on others; having ill will. In plain terms, wanting bad things to happen to other people; the opposite of benevolent.
How do you pronounce “malevolent”?
“Malevolent” is pronounced muh-LEH-vuh-luhnt (/məˈlɛvələnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “malevolent” in a sentence?
Here is “malevolent” used in a sentence: “The villain's malevolent grin unsettled everyone in the room.”
What part of speech is “malevolent”?
“Malevolent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “malevolent” come from?
The word “malevolent” comes from Latin. From Latin male ("badly") and volens ("wishing"), from velle ("to wish") — literally "wishing badly" on someone.
