MALICE Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

malice

noun

ˈma-ləs

Definition of malice next

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 This wicker man becomes a devoted partner, sparking jealousy and malice in her narrow-minded neighbors, exploring themes of love, cruelty, and societal conformity. —

Matt Donnelly, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026 Trump’s malice and incompetence alienates voters, who then publicly voice their discontent, encouraging other political actors and institutions to see him not as a crusading avatar of national destiny but as a weakened figure. —

Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026 Forward Simons is still adapting to English football after arriving from RB Leipzig of Germany for €60million (£52m/$70m at the current rates) in the summer, and has a habit of timing his tackles late, but there was no obvious malice or intent to harm the Liverpool captain. —

Elias Burke, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026 Arroyo does not speculate on the cause of the marker’s destruction; officials claimed a truck or bus struck it while mounting the curb, with no suggestion of malice. —

Alexandra Martinez, Artforum, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for malice

Recent Examples of Synonyms for malice

Noun

Toxins in many animal venoms, for example, are peptides.

— Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Treasury secretary blasts 'venom' from left after deadly Mar-a-Lago incident.

— , FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026