What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
malicious
Example
He made a malicious comment about her appearance. [malicious: adjective]
Example
She was accused of spreading malicious rumors about her coworker. [malicious: adjective]
hateful
Example
His hateful words towards his ex-girlfriend were hurtful. [hateful: adjective]
Example
The hate crime against the minority community sparked outrage and protests. [hate: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hateful is more commonly used than malicious in everyday language. Hateful is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while malicious is less common and often used in legal or formal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between malicious and hateful?
Malicious is typically associated with a more formal tone, while hateful is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
