What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
evil
Example
The villain in the story was pure evil. [evil: adjective]
Example
The evil of war cannot be overstated. [evil: noun]
malevolent
Example
The malevolent dictator ruled with an iron fist. [malevolent: adjective]
Example
She gave him a malevolent glare as he walked by. [malevolent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Evil is more common than malevolent in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts. Malevolent is more formal and less frequently used, often reserved for more specific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between evil and malevolent?
Malevolent is more formal than evil and is often used in academic or technical writing. Evil is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
