Malicious

Pronunciation: /məˈlɪʃəs/

Definitions of malicious

adjective showing a desire to harm others or to see others suffer; spiteful

Example Sentences

A1 The malicious cat scratched the furniture.

A2 She spread malicious rumors about her coworker.

B1 The malicious software infected the computer system.

B2 The company suffered financial losses due to a malicious cyber attack.

C1 The malicious intent behind his actions was clear.

C2 The malicious manipulation of data led to severe consequences.

Examples of malicious in a Sentence

formal The hacker launched a malicious attack on the company's servers.

informal I can't believe someone would do something so malicious.

slang That was a really malicious move, dude.

figurative Her words were like a malicious dagger to his heart.

Grammatical Forms of malicious

• past tense: malicioused
• plural: maliciouses
• comparative: more malicious
• superlative: most malicious
• present tense: malicious
• future tense: will be malicious
• perfect tense: have been malicious
• continuous tense: is being malicious
• singular: malicious
• positive degree: malicious
• infinitive: to be malicious
• gerund: maliciousing
• participle: malicioused

Origin and Evolution of malicious

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'malicious' originates from the Latin word 'malitiosus', which comes from 'malitia' meaning wickedness or malice.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'malicious' has retained its original meaning of intending harm or evil towards others. It has been used consistently in English literature and legal contexts to describe harmful intent or behavior.