/ məˈlevələnt; NAmE / adjective
[ usually before noun ] having or showing a desire to harm other people
SYN malicious , wicked
OPP benevolent
► ma·levo·lence / -əns; NAmE / noun [ U ]:
an act of pure malevolence
► ma·levo·lent·ly adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent.: from Latin malevolent- wishing evil, from male ill + volent- wishing (from the verb velle ).