CultureAugust 15, 2026

malevolent

muh-LEV-uh-lunt

Definition

Having or showing a desire to cause harm, injury, or evil to others.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'malevolens,' which combines 'male' (badly or evilly) and 'volens' (wishing), essentially meaning 'wishing evil.'

In the news

The article uses the word to describe the sinister, harmful supernatural entities that a mother fears are haunting her and her children in a remote country house.

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