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Malicious, Malevolent, and Malice
Malicious and malevolent are close in meaning, since both refer to ill will that desires to see someone else suffer. But while malevolent suggests deep and lasting dislike, malicious usually means petty and spiteful. Malicious gossipers are often simply envious of a neighbor's good fortune. Vandals may take malicious pleasure in destroying and defacing property but usually don't truly hate the owners. Malice is an important legal concept, which has to be proved in order to convict someone of certain crimes such as first-degree murder.
Synonyms
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.
malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.
ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.
spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.
malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.
spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.
grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.
Examples of malice in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'malice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin malitia, from malus bad
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing malice
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Cite this Entry
“Malice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malice. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
Legal Definition
malice
nouncalled also express malice, malice in fact
called also legal malice, malice in law
Note: Such feelings are usually not an important component of malice in legal consideration unless punitive damages or actual malice is an issue.
More from Merriam-Webster on malice
Nglish: Translation of malice for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of malice for Arabic Speakers
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