maliciously

UK: /məˈlɪʃəsli/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

mal•ice /ˈmælɪs/   n. [uncountable]

1. a desire to inflict harm or suffering on another:
   His malice toward his opponent did not stop after the election.

ma•li•cious /məˈlɪʃəs/  adj.: 

His malicious attempts to discredit her backfired.

ma•li•cious•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

mal•ice  (mal′is), n. 

1. desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another, either because of a hostile impulse or out of deep-seated meanness:
   the malice and spite of a lifelong enemy.
2. Law evil intent on the part of a person who commits a wrongful act injurious to others.

• Latin malitia. See mal-, -ice
• Old French
• Middle English 1250–1300

Synonyms

• 1. ill will, spite, spitefulness; animosity, enmity; malevolence; venom, hate, hatred; bitterness, rancor. See grudge. 

Antonyms

• 1. benevolence, goodwill.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ma•li•cious  (mə lish′əs), adj. 

1. full of, characterized by, or showing malice;
   malevolent;
   spiteful:
   malicious gossip.
2. Law vicious, wanton, or mischievous in motivation or purpose.

• Latin malitiōsus. See malice, -ous
• Old French
• Middle English malicius 1175–1225

ma•li′cious•ly, adv. 
ma•li′cious•ness, n.