malfaisant

harmful, maleficent

adjective mahl-feh-ZAHN Rare

Usage Note

malfaisant describes a person, influence, or thing that actively causes harm or evil. It is more literary and morally weighted than nuisible (harmful, noxious), which is used for practical dangers. The feminine is malfaisante. The antonym is bienfaisant (beneficent).

Examples

"Une influence malfaisante pesait sur le groupe."

Natural Translation

A harmful influence weighed on the group.

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