malevolently
malevolently — adverb
1. in a manner that deliberately aims to hurt, frighten, or cause suffering to some
in a manner that deliberately aims to hurt, frighten, or cause suffering to someone or something, often out of deep hatred or ill will
Mr. Fujimoto glared malevolently at the children playing on his lawn.
glared malevolently at [someone]
Dr. Okafor watched malevolently as his rival accepted the prize.
The hacker malevolently deleted all the company's financial records.
Ana noticed Sergei smile malevolently when her presentation failed.
A malevolently cold wind swept through the empty market square.
- maliciously
focuses more on taking pleasure in causing harm, often in smaller or more personal situations
- spitefully
implies pettiness and a desire to hurt back for a minor offense, less intense than malevolently
- viciously
emphasises violent or brutal cruelty, often with physical force
- benevolently
acting in a kind, generous, and helpful manner — directly opposite moral intention
- kindly
showing warmth and consideration towards others
文法句型
verb + malevolently
malevolently + verb
用法筆記
Common in literary and formal writing rather than everyday conversation. Often used with verbs describing facial expressions, looks, or laughter to show a character's evil intent.
常見錯誤
malevolently — adjective
1. feeling or expressing a deep, active desire to see others suffer, fail, or be ha
feeling or expressing a deep, active desire to see others suffer, fail, or be harmed, often in a cruel or vicious way
The old woman gave her neighbour a malevolent stare from the window.
malevolent + stare / look / glare
Elena heard a low, malevolent laugh echo from the dark corridor.
The dictator's malevolent policies caused suffering for millions of families.
Amara could not believe her brother was capable of such malevolent thoughts.
The teacher described the bully's behaviour as cruel and malevolent.
- malicious
slightly less intense; focuses on the enjoyment of causing harm rather than a fundamental evil nature
- spiteful
more personal and petty; often linked to revenge for a particular grievance
- vicious
emphasises violent or aggressive cruelty, often physical in nature
- vindictive
specifically driven by a desire for revenge after being wronged
- benevolent
kind, generous, and genuinely wishing others well — the direct opposite
- kind-hearted
naturally caring and sympathetic towards others
文法句型
malevolent + noun
be + malevolent
用法筆記
Stronger than 'unkind' or 'mean' — this sense implies a deep, active hatred rather than casual unkindness. Commonly used to describe looks, smiles, laughter, intentions, or plans.
常見錯誤
2. having a harmful or destructive influence or effect on something, especially in
having a harmful or destructive influence or effect on something, especially in a way that feels deliberate or sinister
The drought had a malevolent effect on the region's already struggling farms.
malevolent effect on [something]
Farid warned that malevolent economic forces were destroying local businesses.
malevolent + force / influence / power
Malevolent rumours spread through the school after the incident.
The abandoned factory cast a malevolent shadow over the neighbourhood.
Scientists studied the malevolent impact of the chemical on the river wildlife.
- harmful
more neutral and factual; lacks the sense of deliberate ill will
- destructive
focuses on the result of causing damage rather than the intention behind it
- sinister
suggests an underlying threat or evil, similar in tone to malevolent sense 2
- beneficial
producing good results or helpful effects
文法句型
malevolent + noun (effect / influence / force)
用法筆記
Describes forces, influences, rumours, or effects — not used for people directly (use sense 1 for people). Often appears in literary or journalistic writing to personify harmful phenomena.