malefic

1 9.9

Being harmful or evil to people and things

adjective
/məˈlɛfɪk/

Formal

: maléfico

In her novel, she describes a malefic spirit that haunts the old mansion.

Then that is coming from a malefic mindset.

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Examples

Here, "Indian religions" are feared as malefic magic.

Academic text (2015)
For the people of China as a whole, myths aimed at bolstering racial nationalism are equally malefic.

Academic text (1997)
Curiously, this malefic influence is exerted upon the prince by his own father, whose actions reflect the qualities and effects of the seventh Ptolemaic planet.

Academic text (1992)
Many cultures believe that malefic forces can bring misfortune and calamity.
The malefic influence of the villain spread fear throughout the kingdom.

Synonyms

evil

vsmalefic

∞ 1.2

Being very bad and morally wrong, often causing harm to others

is specifically about exerting harmful influence, not moral wrongness

malevolent

vsmalefic

22 8.0

Wanting to harm others

is about producing harmful influence rather than desire

malign

vsmalefic

Formal

4 7.6

A harmful, evil force that causes people or things to suffer

is about exerting harmful influence rather than merely having harmful nature

maleficent

vsmalefic

Formal

9.9

Causing harm or wanting to harm others

is about exerting harmful influence rather than intent

Antonyms

benefic

Formal

9.9

Having a good effect on people or things

How Harmful

malignant

Specialized

45 7.2

pernicious

Formal

23 8.2

maleficent

Formal

9.9

malefic

Formal

1 9.9

damaging

80 3.1

detrimental

49 6.3

Surface Forms

malefic positive

Etymology

The word malefic comes from Latin parts mal- meaning 'bad' and facere meaning 'to do'. So it meant 'doing bad' or 'causing harm', a simple idea you can see in the word malice. That's why malefic describes something that has a harmful or evil influence.