malevolence

noun

mə-ˈle-və-lən(t)s How to pronounce malevolence (audio)
Definition of malevolencenext
as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm only mindless malevolence would explain this cruel vandalism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun malevolence differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of malevolence are grudge, ill will, malice, malignity, spite, and spleen. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When is grudge a more appropriate choice than malevolence?

While in some cases nearly identical to malevolence, grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

When would ill will be a good substitute for malevolence?

The words ill will and malevolence are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

When is it sensible to use malice instead of malevolence?

While the synonyms malice and malevolence are close in meaning, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When could malignity be used to replace malevolence?

The meanings of malignity and malevolence largely overlap; however, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

Where would spite be a reasonable alternative to malevolence?

In some situations, the words spite and malevolence are roughly equivalent. However, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

When might spleen be a better fit than malevolence?

The synonyms spleen and malevolence are sometimes interchangeable, but spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of malevolence Or in the case of Polanski’s, of the Hey-nothing-personal malevolence of late-model capitalism? —Jim Shepard, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025 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 message is the malevolence of AI for the most part. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 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 See All Example Sentences for malevolence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malevolence
  1. malice
  2. venom
  3. hatred
  4. cruelty
Noun
  • As to the media statements, Cook could not offer adequate proof of one element ― malice ― and so could not make out a prima facie case for defamation as to the media statements.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • The actress, however, bore no malice, moving to Europe until her death from a brain tumor in 2011, aged 58.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 May 2025
Definition of malice
Noun
  • The venom also disrupts blood clotting, leading to internal bleeding and further complications.
    — Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • Brunson adapts to pressure, then punishes it — like a snake that builds immunity to its predator’s venom.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025
Definition of venom
Noun
  • No more tolerance of hatred, no more mercy for criminals.
    — Sarah Beth Hensley, ABC News, 28 May 2025
  • Antisemitism, hatred and terrorism must be stopped, lest our civilization fall into the abyss.
    — Diane Gensler, Baltimore Sun, 26 May 2025
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • That's why the spectacular cruelty with which the cuts were carried out tanked Musk's personal brand and triggered Trump's inexorable decline in approval.
    — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • Currently there are no comprehensive animal cruelty laws in China, which experts say has created a culture of impunity among cat torturers.
    — Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Definition of cruelty

Browse Nearby Words

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malevolence
malevolent
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Cite this Entry

“Malevolence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malevolence. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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