What does malevolent mean?
Malevolent is an adjective describing a person, force, or intention that is deliberately harmful, cruel, or hostile. It conveys a wish to cause harm and is often used in literary, historical, or fantastical contexts, such as descriptions of witches, villains, and malevolent spirits. The word is especially effective when the hostility is intentional rather than merely accidental. In “malevolent intent,” for example, it emphasizes deliberate wrongdoing; in “a malevolent smile,” it suggests a cruel or spiteful attitude. Although malevolent can modify actions, personalities, and supernatural forces, it usually carries a stronger and more formal tone than words such as nasty or unkind. Its principal contrast is benevolent, which means kindly and well-wishing.
adjectiveCharacterized by or expressing a wish to harm or cause suffering to others; hostile and malicious.
- Characterized by hostility, malice, or a desire to harm others.
- Expressive of an intention or feeling that is deliberately cruel or harmful.
"The malevolent witch cast a dark spell over the village."
"Her malevolent grin revealed that she had no intention of helping."
"The story portrays a powerful malevolent force threatening the kingdom."
Malevolent literally means “wishing ill”: its name joins the Latin roots for “bad” and “to do.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does malevolent come from?
Malevolent comes from the Latin male facere, literally “to do ill,” formed from malus, “bad,” and facere, “to do.” English borrowed the word in the early 17th century, initially in senses connected with hostility and harmful intention. It belongs to the same broad Latin root family as benevolent, from bene facere, “to do well,” and the related word malefic, meaning harmful or wicked.
Related word forms
How malevolent is actually used
Malevolent is a formal, often literary word. It is stronger and more explicitly malicious than simply negative or unfriendly.
Easily confused with malevolent
Both words express an attitude toward others, but benevolent means well-wishing or kindly, whereas malevolent means harmful or hostile.