- Today's Word
Malevolent
muh-LEV-uh-lent
Definition
(adjective) Having or showing a desire to cause harm or do evil.
Example
The villain’s malevolent glare sent chills down their spines.
Fun Fact
From Latin male (“badly”) + volens (“wishing”), malevolent literally means “wishing ill.” It’s often reserved for characters or acts that are deliberately cruel. In literature, Disney villains and Gothic horror figures embody malevolence, as do real-world tyrants whose actions stem from malice rather than misunderstanding.
(noun) Deep-seated hatred or hostility between people or groups.
Years of competition had grown into open enmity, making cooperation nearly impossible.
From Latin inimīcitia, meaning “hostility,” related to inimīcus (“enemy”).