Harsh
Malicious
Malicious adjective - Having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it.
Usage example: the neighborhood chatterbox has again been spreading malicious gossip
Harsh and malicious are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Harsh" instead an adjective "Malicious".
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
- Malicious Slander: 2Dads spreads a rumour about Kate and Buffer being in a secret relationship after a (deservedly) harsh dressing down.
Source: Series / Sea Patrol - Stormtroopers in The Shadow might be harsh with prisoners and working for The Empire but they're not personally malicious.
Source: Punch Clock Villain / Fan Fic -
In spite of this, Sagara/Helheim is never depicted as malicious or evil, but simply a very harsh Secret Test of Character because the power of the Golden Apple is quite literally world-shaping.
Source: Satanic Archetype
Cite this Source
Malicious and Harsh. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/harsh/malicious
Harsh & Malicious. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/harsh/malicious>.
Malicious or Harsh. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/harsh/malicious.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "harsh" and "malicious" have occurred on timeline