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maliciously

maliciously

9 7.1
In a way that wants to hurt someone or cause trouble
  • adverb
  • /məˈlɪʃəsli/
: maliciosamente
  • She maliciously gave me your number when she filled out her W-4.

Exploit that gap by acting maliciously as much as you can in a short time frame.

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Examples

  • His eyes burned maliciously in a pale face.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Often that kind of misrepresentation is done maliciously, but often it's not.

    Blog text (28)
  • And if it's not fact, why would he use it as information, except to maliciously destroy her character?

  • When he saw his friend stand up, he laughed maliciously.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • But that can also be done quite maliciously for, you know, just getting revenge on somebody who's done you wrong.

  • Edith, she did this deliberately, maliciously, because I cut off communication with her.

  • However, when used carelessly or maliciously, a plot can be highly misleading.

  • If you're attacked maliciously, that's no good.

  • - Did you say— - My dear Mrs. Vale, if you had deliberately and maliciously planned to destroy your daughter's life, you couldn't have done it more completely.

  • He maliciously spread false rumors about her to ruin her reputation.

Synonyms

offensively
vsmaliciously
  • Offensive
23 4.0

In a way that tries to attack or gain advantage over others

is about harming or causing trouble rather than only insulting offense
menacingly
vsmaliciously
5 6.3

In a way that seems likely to hurt or scare someone

is about wanting to harm or cause trouble rather than merely threatening
wantonly
vsmaliciously
  • Formal
4 8.2

In a way that hurts people or things on purpose without any reason

is a focused desire to harm rather than general reckless cruelty
virulently
vsmaliciously
3 8.7

In an angry and hurtful way

is a broader desire to harm rather than just bitter attack
wickedly
vsmaliciously
3 6.3

In an evil and cruel way that harms other people

is about wanting to harm or cause trouble without moral evil focus
diabolically
vsmaliciously
2 8.4

In a very evil way

expresses harm desire but less extreme or supernatural evil
threateningly
vsmaliciously
2 5.5

In a way that shows you might hurt or scare someone

is a broader desire to harm rather than focused on threatening alone
spitefully
vsmaliciously
2 7.0

To do something to hurt or upset someone on purpose

is a general desire to harm or cause trouble rather than petty spite
evilly
vsmaliciously
2 8.4

In a cruel way to hurt or frighten others

is about wanting to harm or cause trouble, not only moral judgment
meanly
vsmaliciously
2 7.0

In a cruel way that shows unkind feelings and hurts others

is a general wish to harm rather than simply rude meanness
murderously
vsmaliciously
  • NSFW
1 8.2

In a very angry, violent way that shows a wish to hurt or kill someone

expresses desire to harm or cause trouble but less deadly
hatefully
vsmaliciously
1 6.6

In a way that shows strong dislike and anger

is about wanting to harm or cause trouble rather than mere hatred
balefully
vsmaliciously
  • Formal
1 8.2

With a look or voice that shows you want to harm someone

is a general desire to harm or cause trouble rather than a threatening mood
vindictively
vsmaliciously
1 8.1

In a way that tries to hurt someone because you want revenge

is about wanting to harm generally rather than specifically for revenge
hostilely
vsmaliciously
1 7.4

In an unfriendly way that shows anger or dislike

is about wanting to harm or cause trouble rather than general hostility
malevolently
vsmaliciously
  • Formal
1 8.6

In a way that shows a wish to hurt others

is about wanting to harm or cause trouble without stressing evil intent
despitefully
vsmaliciously
  • Archaic
1 9.9

In a cruel way that tries to hurt or upset someone

is about wanting to harm or cause trouble without revenge motive
vengefully
vsmaliciously
1 6.8

In a way that shows a strong wish to punish someone for something they did

emphasizes general harm rather than punishment motive
nefariously
vsmaliciously
  • Formal
1 8.9

In a very dishonest or illegal way

is about wanting to harm or cause trouble rather than crime focus
sinisterly
vsmaliciously
1 7.5

In a way that seems evil or threatening

is about an active desire to harm rather than ominous tone
cattily
vsmaliciously
1 8.9

Says things in a mean, slightly cruel way to hurt someone

is broader harm or trouble causing, not only sharp speech
villainously
vsmaliciously
1 7.4

In a cruel way that shows bad intentions

is a general desire to harm rather than theatrical villainy
malignly
vsmaliciously
1 9.5

In a mean and harmful way

is a general desire to harm or cause trouble rather than stated evil
revengefully
vsmaliciously
1 6.9

Doing something to hurt someone who hurt you

is about causing harm without the specific aim of retaliation
meanspiritedly
vsmaliciously
  • Offensive
8.5

In a mean way that tries to hurt someone

is broader harm desire, not only small or petty cruelty

Antonyms

In a kind way that shows care for people who are suffering

1 4.6

In a kind way that tries to help other people

How Malicious

malevolently
  • Formal
1 8.6
vindictively
1 8.1
maliciously
9 7.1
spitefully
2 7.0
unkindly
4 4.4

Surface Forms

maliciously positive

Morphology

maliciously = malicious (transparent) = malice + ous + ly

The adverb is a straightforward derivation: 'malicious' (malice + -ous) + -ly makes an adverb meaning 'in a malicious manner'.

Etymology

Maliciously comes from the root mal- meaning 'bad' and from malice, which is the wish to harm or hurt someone. So, to act maliciously is to do something on purpose with 'bad' or harmful intent.