malevolence

noun

ma·lev·o·lence mə-ˈle-və-lən(t)s

Synonyms of malevolence next

: the quality or state of being malevolent

slander that arose from pure malevolence

: malevolent behavior

an era full of selfishness and malevolence

Choose the Right Synonym for malevolence

malice, malevolence, ill will, spite, malignity, spleen, grudge mean the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress.

malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

Examples of malevolence in a Sentence

only mindless malevolence would explain this cruel vandalism

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

David Lynch’s cinematic masterpiece pulls back the curtain on the sadism and malevolence hiding behind the picket fences of middle America. —

Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025 The London Cat, a great skinless feline who likes to turn people inside-out and embodies all the mischief and malevolence of cats). —

Christian Holub, EW.com, 3 Jan. 2025 The message is the malevolence of AI for the most part. —

Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Jan. 2025 Nicolas Cage went for a high-concept ghoul in Longlegs; Hugh Grant reveled in professorial malevolence in Heretic; Naomi Scott unraveled in the face of grinning death in Smile 2. —

Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for malevolence

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of malevolence was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Malevolence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malevolence. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.

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Kids Definition

malevolence

noun

ma·lev·o·lence mə-ˈlev-ə-lən(t)s

: the quality or state of being malevolent

: malevolent behavior

Last Updated: 26 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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malevolence

noun

Synonyms

Examples of malevolence in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near malevolence

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition