malicious-

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "malicious-" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a prefix to describe actions, behaviors, or intents that are intended to cause harm or injury. Example: "The hacker was charged with malicious intent after breaching the company's security system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

McIntyre dismissed Gerry Adams's description of the project as a "malicious" plot against him.

The Guardian

The camera can also be downgraded, removing features, or, if a malicious third party gets sufficient access, the app can be turned against you, secretly taking pictures and/or videos and collecting data.

The Guardian - Opinion

Jimmy embodies the backstabbing greed and the malicious side of the game, which is in the papers all the time now about Fifa.

The Guardian

What are they waiting for?" Despite such apparent evidence, the fact that lawsuits were brought against the police for assault, unlawful arrest and malicious prosecution, and that South Yorkshire police – the force at the centre of the Hillsborough disaster cover-up – later agreed to pay nearly £500,000 in compensation to 39 miners, campaigners are concerned over the lack of progress.

The Guardian

Syrian people know that this crusade, this infidel and malicious coalition, is against Muslims, not Isis.

The Guardian

Insp Douglas Lovelock, the marksman who shot her, stood trial in 1987 charged with inflicting unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm and was acquitted.

The Guardian

"This is a concerted campaign by malicious and despicable individuals to cause distress to Neil Lennon.

The Guardian - Sport

"The legal action has made it absolutely clear that we will not stand by and tolerate malicious personal attacks of this nature, which if unchallenged would have seriously damaged the reputations of innocent people".

The Guardian

Anwar, 60, who led a resurgent opposition to unprecedented success in March's general election, says the charges are "malicious" and fabricated to derail his political comeback.

The Guardian

"This is a treacherous and malicious accusation," said Anwar after the charge was read in court.

The Guardian

"I think this is a malicious distortion, either to continue to destroy this man or to sell newspapers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "malicious-", ensure the context clearly indicates intent or potential to cause harm. For example, "malicious code" implies code specifically designed to damage a system.

Common error

Avoid using "malicious-" when the action or outcome is simply negative or unintended. Reserve it for situations where there's a demonstrable intent to cause harm, such as a "malicious prosecution" rather than a "malicious mistake".

Linguistic Context

The prefix "malicious-" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a deliberate intention to cause harm or damage. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing actions, intents, or items designed to inflict harm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Tech

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "malicious-" functions as a prefix that modifies nouns, adding the connotation of harmful intent. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use when describing actions or intentions designed to cause harm. While this prefix sees frequent use across News & Media, Tech, and Formal & Business contexts, you should reserve it for situations where a clear intention to harm can be established. Consider using more general terms like "harmful" in cases where intent is unclear. Remember to avoid overuse and maintain accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malevolent

Emphasizes a deep-seated ill will or desire to do evil.

spiteful

Highlights a petty desire to harm, often in response to a perceived slight.

malignant

Suggests a harmful influence or effect, similar to a tumor.

pernicious

Indicates a gradual and subtle harmful effect.

wicked

Implies moral badness or evil.

harmful

A general term for causing damage or injury.

damaging

Focuses on the act of causing harm or impairment.

deleterious

Highlights a detrimental or harmful effect on health or well-being.

injurious

Indicates causing injury or harm, either physically or metaphorically.

detrimental

Suggests a negative impact or adverse effect.

FAQs

How can I use "malicious-" in a sentence?

Use "malicious-" to describe actions or intentions meant to cause harm. For example, "The attack was clearly malicious" or "He was accused of malicious intent".

What's a good alternative to "malicious-"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "malevolent", "spiteful", or "harmful".

Is there a difference between "malicious" and "harmful"?

"Malicious" implies intent to cause harm, while "harmful" simply means causing damage, regardless of intent. A "malicious act" is done with the purpose of causing harm, while a harmful act may be unintentional.

What are some common collocations with "malicious-"?

Common collocations include "malicious intent", "malicious code", "malicious prosecution", and "malicious gossip".