malice

noun

ˈma-ləs How to pronounce malice (audio)
Definition of malicenext
as in venom
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm there was no reason other than pure malice to spread such disgusting lies all over campus

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun malice differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of malice are grudge, ill will, malevolence, malignity, spite, and spleen. While all these words 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

When is grudge a more appropriate choice than malice?

Although the words grudge and malice have much in common, grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

When is it sensible to use ill will instead of malice?

In some situations, the words ill will and malice are roughly equivalent. However, ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

Where would malevolence be a reasonable alternative to malice?

The words malevolence and malice are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

In what contexts can malignity take the place of malice?

The words malignity and malice can be used in similar contexts, but malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

When would spite be a good substitute for malice?

The synonyms spite and malice are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 malice?

While the synonyms spleen and malice are close in meaning, 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 malice Cornell faces charges of voyeurism with malice, second-degree stalking and breach of peace. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2025 The law holds the boy accountable despite his lack of malice, only for Alec Baldwin — of all people — to save Lucas from a noose by murdering all of his jailers. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 2 May 2025 On Monday, April 21, Cleveland Broadie of Rockdale County was indicted by a grand jury on charges of malice murder and felony murder in connection with the 2022 death of his wife, Denise Broadie, according to CBS affiliate Atlanta News First. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025 Assistant District Attorney Alan Martin was confident the state would prove that Molly and Tom murdered Jason with malice. —Maureen Maher, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for malice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malice
  1. venom
  2. hatred
  3. cruelty
  4. spite
  5. malevolence
  6. hostility
  7. malignity
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
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of cruelty
Noun
  • In spite of all that, Shanahan did not waver in his belief in the core of the roster — Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares and Morgan Rielly — opting to press ahead with that nucleus even as playoff failures stacked up.
    — Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • Mulvaney is someone who lives authentically in the face of bigotry and stands in her truth, in spite of an onslaught of hate.
    — Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 22 May 2025
Definition of spite
Noun
  • In the room with us in Valencia, the dolls eyes’ are hypnotic, carrying a trace of malevolence.
    — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
  • When a dark influence begins to grip Todd, Indy must fight a malevolence intent on pulling him into the afterlife.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 1 May 2025
Definition of malevolence
Noun
  • Over the nearly 20 months since the hostilities began, Colin Clarke said there has been a radicalization effect in the U.S., particularly of the political left.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 28 May 2025
  • Opposition to the war became hostility toward our own military.
    — Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • His Cyrano is the play’s hero, even if the character’s psychological limitations are as much a factor in the story as the machinations of De Guiche, whose malignity is sent up in Nathanson’s flamboyantly comic turn.
    — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024
  • For a decade, the central drama of Trumpism has concerned the Republican élites who continued to support him—the story has been about their malignity, or opportunism, or willful moral blindness.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2023
Definition of malignity

Browse Nearby Words

malfunctions
malice
malicious
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Cite this Entry

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

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