English

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Etymology

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From Middle English *malevolent (suggested by Middle English malevolence), from Old French malivolent and Latin malevolentem, from male (badly, wrongly) + volens (willing, wishing), from velle (to wish).

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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malevolent (comparative more malevolent, superlative most malevolent)

  1. Having or displaying ill will; wishing harm on others.
    • 2022 October 27, Simon Parkin, “README.txt by Chelsea Manning review – secrets and spies”, in The Guardian[1], →ISSN:
      In Iraq the bullying continued. After she witnessed the death of a colleague, Manning felt how “with enough grief, adrenaline and fear”, war can turn anyone “amoral, even malevolent”.
  2. Having an evil or harmful influence.

Synonyms

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Antonyms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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