malevolent

This word carries a heavy, dark weight, suggesting a conscious and active desire to cause harm. It is not merely about being mean or unkind, but implies a deep-seated malice or a sinister intent that seeks the suffering of another. In usage, it often describes supernatural entities, fictional antagonists, or people with a cold, calculating cruelty. It is significantly more formal and intense than "mean" or "spiteful," evoking an image of a lurking, predatory hatred rather than a momentary lapse in temper.