malicious
Intending to hurt
Malicious describes intent to cause harm or distress.
A malicious rumor is spread deliberately to damage someone's reputation.
Malicious software (malware) is designed to harm computer systems.
The word implies not just harmful action but pleasure or satisfaction in causing injury: a malicious grin.
Where harmful might be accidental, malicious never is.
Cruelly aggressive in nature
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
- savageFierce and untamed
- ruthlessLacking any compassion
- mercilessShowing no clemency
heartless · callous · sadistic · fiendish · diabolical · monstrous · barbaric · inhuman
Seeking harm from resentment
- vengefulWanting to harm back
- resentfulFeeling lingering ill will
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
- grudgingReluctant, resentful in giving
mean-spirited · petty · catty · nasty · snide · hostile · antagonistic · envious
Planned before acting
- intentionalDone on purpose
- deliberateConsciously chosen, not accidental
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
- willfulIntentionally unyielding
purposeful · scheming · plotting · conniving · devious · cunning · crafty · underhanded
Causing loss or injury
- destructiveCausing severe harm
- injuriousCausing physical harm
- detrimentalCausing harm or damage
- perniciousGradually and subtly harmful
deleterious · ruinous · hurtful · baneful · corrosive · corrupting · devastating · debilitating
vicious
Cruelly aggressive in nature
merciless · heartless · callous · sadistic · fiendish · diabolical · monstrous · barbaric · inhuman · pitiless
vindictive
Seeking harm from resentment
grudging · mean-spirited · petty · catty · nasty · snide · hostile · antagonistic · envious · jealous
premeditated
Planned before acting
- intentionalDone on purpose
- deliberateConsciously chosen, not accidental
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
willful · purposeful · scheming · plotting · conniving · devious · cunning · crafty · underhanded · deceitful
damaging
Causing loss or injury
- destructiveCausing severe harm
- injuriousCausing physical harm
- detrimentalCausing harm or damage
pernicious · deleterious · ruinous · hurtful · baneful · corrosive · corrupting · devastating · debilitating · adverse
malware
Harmful computer programs
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- spywareHidden surveillance program
virus · worm · botnet · keylogger · rootkit · exploit · backdoor · DDoS · adware · cyberattack
maliciousbenevolent
Desiring others' welfare
kind · benign · well-intentioned · benignant · good-hearted
- malicious intentPurpose to cause harm
- malicious gossipHarmful talk about others
- malicious complianceHarmful adherence to instructions
- malicious linkHarmful disguised URL
- malicious codeHarmful software instructions
- malicious mischiefIntentional property destruction