Malevolent: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：evil or malicious (malevolent)

malevolent 🔊

/məˈlev.ə.lənt/

adj.

Describing a person who wishes harm or misfortune upon others, having ill will or bad intentions.

Malevolent meaning illustrated: a person with a sly, villainous smile and steepled hands, conveying ill will.

evil or malicious 🔊

➕

/ˈiː.vəl ɔːr məˈlɪʃ.əs/

adj.

Describes the characteristic of having or showing a wish to do evil to others.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'male' (badly, ill) + 'volens' (wishing, willing), meaning 'wishing bad'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'MALE' sounds like 'mail', but here means 'bad' (Latin), and 'VOL' as in volunteer or volition (wishing). So, a bad wish.

📖 Example

In the fairy tale, the malevolent queen secretly poisoned the apple meant for the princess. 🔊 In the fairy tale, the evil or malicious queen secretly poisoned the apple meant for the princess.

🔗 Collocations

malevolent intent – A deliberate plan or desire to cause harm.

malevolent force – A harmful or evil power or influence.

malevolent glare – A look filled with hatred or ill will.

🔄 Synonyms

malicious (adj.) – Characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm.

spiteful (adj.) – Showing or caused by malice; desiring to hurt, annoy, or offend someone.

vicious (adj.) – Deliberately cruel or violent; malicious.

🚫 Antonyms

benevolent (adj.) – Well meaning and kindly; showing kindness.

kind (adj.) – Having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature.

compassionate (adj.) – Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.

🌱 Derivatives

malevolence (n.) – The state or condition of being malevolent; ill will.

malevolently (adv.) – In a malevolent manner; with ill will.

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from the Latin 'malevolens', formed from 'male' (badly) and 'volens' (the present participle of 'velle', to wish). It entered English during the Renaissance, a period of heavy borrowing from Latin, to describe intentional ill will.