malveillant

malevolent, malicious

adjective mahl-veh-YAHN Rare

Origin: From Latin male (badly) + volens (wishing), via Old French.

Usage Note

Malveillant describes a person, act, or intent that wishes or causes harm to others — stronger than méchant (mean) and more deliberate. The feminine form is malveillante. The opposite is bienveillant (benevolent), and the related noun is la malveillance (malevolence).

Examples

"Il lança un regard malveillant à son adversaire."

Natural Translation

He shot a malevolent look at his opponent.

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