malevolent
UK/mə'lev(ə)l(ə)nt/US/mә'levәlәnt/
TOEFLGREC2
Definitions
adj.
Wishing harm to others; having or showing ill will
恶毒的，有恶意的
Root Breakdown
Native Englishmal-bad, ill
+
-entperforming, being in a state
=malevolent
mal- (badly) + vol- (wish, from velle) + -ent = 'wishing ill' toward others. This is the velle 'will/wish' branch — about intent, not rolling. It is the exact opposite of benevolent (bene- 'well' + wish): one wishes you well, the other wishes you harm.
Root vol still carries 50 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.malevolent force邪恶力量
- 2.malevolent intent恶毒意图
- 3.malevolent grin狞笑
- 4.malevolent spirit恶灵
Example Sentences
- 1.
A malevolent spirit was said to haunt the abandoned house.
- 2.
He shot her a malevolent glance across the room.
- 3.
The villain's malevolent plan threatened the whole city.