【Malicious】 , 【malevolent】 , 【malignant】 , 【malign】 , 【spiteful】 are comparable when they mean disposed to do or to inflict evil or resulting from a disposition to do or to inflict evil.
A person or thing is 【malicious】 that is motivated or dictated by hatred or spite and, usually, by a desire to inflict injury and suffering or to see another in disgrace or an object of ridicule or contempt.
A person or thing is 【malevolent】 that evidences ill will or an intent to do evil, or a sinister influence.
A person or thing is 【malignant】 that is actuated or characterized by virulent ill will or extreme malevolence.
A person or thing is 【malign】 (see also SINISTER ) that harbors violent enmity or ill will or threatens extreme evil or danger; the term, in contrast with 【malignant】 , carries a stronger implication of potentiality and therefore need not suggest certainty of effect.
【Spiteful】 implies a deep-seated malice or malevolence provoked especially by a desire to get even with others for real or fancied offenses; it suggests meanness or venomousness of temper and refers more often to utterances than to acts.
