adj
maleficent
muh-LEHF-ih-suhnt
adj
1
Causing harm, especially through evil intent.
"The story centers on a maleficent sorceress who curses the kingdom."
How to Use Maleficent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal, almost literary word meaning harmful or evil-doing.
When to use it
Rare in everyday speech; mostly found in literature or fantasy writing.
Easily confused with
malevolent →
beneficent
Word Forms
more maleficent comparative, most maleficent superlative
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The story centers on a _____ sorceress who curses the kingdom.
Etymology
From Latin male ("badly") plus a form of facere ("to do"), so literally "doing bad."