malevolence

noun

ma·​lev·​o·​lence mə-ˈle-və-lən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of being malevolent

slander that arose from pure malevolence

2

: malevolent behavior

an era full of selfishness and malevolence

Synonyms

• malice
• venom
• hatred
• cruelty

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

Meanwhile, there was an undercurrent of malevolence coming from the Sabres’ Mason Geertsen (6-foot-5, 231 pounds), who got into a couple of jawing matches with 6-foot-7, 255-pound Nikita Zadorov, but nothing came of it. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025

To watch Lipe-Smith’s Caroline cuddle in bed watching TV on her iPad, or bopping around to JoJo Siwa, or pensively finishing a Popsicle while sitting beside her grandmother at a museum, is to have the sheer malevolence of our current administration and its adherents thrown into sharp relief. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025

Fonda arrived in Rome with his blue eyes darkened by contact lenses, the better to convey malevolence. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025

That’s an extremely human sentiment, reflecting anger and malevolence. —Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for malevolence

• benevolence
• prevalence
• seroprevalence

Kids Definition

malevolence

noun

ma·​lev·​o·​lence mə-ˈlev-ə-lən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of being malevolent

2

: malevolent behavior