Maliciously: meaning, definitions and examples
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maliciously
[məˈlɪʃəsli ]
Definitions
behaving in a harmful way
Intentionally and with the desire to cause harm or damage.
Synonyms
cruelly, malevolently, spitefully, vindictively.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| maliciously |
This word is used when someone intentionally wants to harm or cause pain to another person.
|
| spitefully |
This word is used when someone acts with petty ill will or seeks to annoy or hurt others out of spite.
|
| vindictively |
This word is used when someone acts out of a desire for revenge or retribution.
|
| malevolently |
This word is used when someone wishes harm or evil to others, showing deep ill will.
|
| cruelly |
This word is used when someone acts in a way that shows they do not care about causing suffering or pain to others.
|
Examples of usage
- He maliciously spread rumors about his coworker.
- She smiled maliciously as she plotted her revenge.
- The cat maliciously knocked over the vase.
- His malicious behavior eventually caught up with him.
- They were accused of acting maliciously towards their competitors.
intending to cause harm
Showing a desire to harm someone or something on purpose.
Synonyms
cruel, malevolent, spiteful, vindictive.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| maliciously |
This word is used when someone intends to cause harm or damage deliberately. It suggests intentional harm with no regard for others' well-being.
|
| spiteful |
Used to describe actions that are intended to hurt or upset someone out of petty jealousy or bitterness. It often implies small, vindictive actions.
|
| vindictive |
Best used to describe someone who has a strong desire to seek revenge and will go to great lengths to achieve it. It carries a heavy connotation of retaliation.
|
| malevolent |
This word describes someone who wants to cause harm or evil to others. It's often used in contexts involving deeper, more sinister intentions.
|
| cruel |
This term denotes behavior that causes pain and suffering to others, often without remorse. It is generally used to describe actions or people that are heartless and severe.
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Examples of usage
- He had a malicious look in his eyes.
- The malicious software infected thousands of computers.
- She was known for her malicious gossip.
- The article was written with a malicious intent.
- The comments were filled with malicious accusations.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin 'malitia', meaning 'badness' or 'wickedness', which shows its long history of describing harmful intent.
- The transformation to English occurred in the early 14th century, retaining its negative connotation.
- Related forms include 'maliciousness' (the quality of being mean) and 'malice' (the intention behind harmful actions).
Law
- In legal terms, acting 'maliciously' can increase the severity of charges in criminal cases, as it indicates a deliberate intention to harm.
- Most laws regarding defamation consider whether an action was taken maliciously to determine the liability of the accused.
- Malicious acts often fall under tort law, whereby victims can sue for damages caused deliberately.
Psychology
- Studies in social psychology indicate that individuals who act maliciously may have underlying issues such as insecurity or emotional distress.
- People often react differently to maliciousness based on their upbringing; for some, it becomes a learned behavior.
- Malicious behavior can lead to cycles of violence and retaliation in social groups, creating a toxic environment.
Pop Culture
- Villains in movies and books often exhibit malicious traits, which makes them memorable and essential for creating tension.
- The character of Maleficent from Disney is a classic example of malicious intent, portraying themes of betrayal and revenge.
- Cults and conspiracies often arise from malicious intentions, showcasing how harmful acts can spread through social influence.
Internet Culture
- Online, 'maliciously' refers to harmful activities like hacking or spreading false information to damage someone's reputation.
- Cyberbullying is a modern form of malicious behavior, where individuals intentionally hurt others through digital platforms.
- Malicious software (malware) is designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computers, reflecting the term's broader implications today.
Translations
Translations of the word "maliciously" in other languages:
🇵🇹 maliciosamente
🇮🇳 दुर्भावना से
🇩🇪 böswillig
🇮🇩 dengan jahat
🇺🇦 злонамірено
🇵🇱 złośliwie
🇯🇵 悪意を持って (あくいをもって)
🇫🇷 malicieusement
🇪🇸 maliciosamente
🇹🇷 kötü niyetle
🇰🇷 악의적으로 (악의적으로)
🇸🇦 بخبث
🇨🇿 zlovolně
🇸🇰 zlomyseľne
🇨🇳 恶意地 (è yì de)
🇸🇮 zlonamerno
🇮🇸 illgjarnlega
🇰🇿 қастықпен
🇬🇪 ბოროტად
🇦🇿 pis niyyətlə
🇲🇽 maliciosamente