malevolent
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “malevolent” mean?
adjective.having or showing a wish to do evil to others.
SAT Usage
this word often appears in contexts involving conflict, moral dilemmas, or character assessments. It emphasizes an intentional desire to harm or cause suffering, distinguishing it from similar words like "malicious," which suggests a more subtle intent rather than overt hostility.
Common Confusions
Malevolent implies a deliberate intention to cause harm, while malicious usually suggests a more covert or indirect desire to inflict suffering without the same level of overt hostility.
Do not choose malevolent if the context emphasizes kindness or goodwill rather than having or showing a wish to do evil to others.
Example Sentences
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A malevolent grin spread across the villain's face.
Word Parts: How to Remember “malevolent”
Break “malevolent” into its parts: mal- (bad, evil). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.
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Prefix:
mal-bad, evil (Latin)