Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

malevolence

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of malevolence

the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm
  • only mindless malevolence would explain this cruel vandalism
Synonyms of malevolence

cattiness, despite, hatefulness, malice, maliciousness, malignance, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen, venom, viciousness
Words Related to malevolence

abusiveness, cruelty

abhorrence, abomination, execration, hate, hatred, loathing

animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, enmity, grudge, hostility, ill will, jaundice, mean-spiritedness, rancor, resentment

despicableness, invidiousness

vengefulness, vindictiveness

aversion, disgust, distaste, horror, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion

bitchery, bitchiness, contempt, disdain

jealousy, pique, resentment, scorn

bile, rancor, virulence, vitriol
Near Antonyms of malevolence

devotion, love, passion

amiability, amicability, amity, civility, cordiality, friendliness, hospitality

adoration, ardor, infatuation, veneration, worship

affection, charity, kindliness, kindness

comity, empathy, friendship, goodwill, sympathy, understanding

Synonym Discussion of 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

Learn More about malevolence

  1. Dictionary: Definition of malevolence Spanish Central: Translation of malevolence Nglish: Translation of malevolence for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of malevolence for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up malevolence? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

disparage

Listen to the pronounciation of disparage

to speak slightingly about or to degrade

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. folderol Rees-Mogg dismisses Brexit changes

  2. reticent Mueller's team hesitant to testify

  3. codify Dem candidates call to protect Roe v. Wade

SEE ALL
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games