malice

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 Left unguided, students may misuse AI not out of malice, but confusion. Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025 Though Hawk was originally charged with malice murder, a felony murder charge was dropped as a part of his plea deal. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2025 However, Judge Lewis J. Liman issued an opinion Monday stating Baldoni failed to show that actual malice was involved in Lively's allegations. Andrew Limbong, NPR, 9 June 2025 Plaintiffs also can seek punitive damages if malice, fraud, knowledge or willful avoidance can be proven. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for malice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malice
Noun
  • Research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information suggests that the venom from one cone snail has the potential to kill up to 700 people.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
  • But for some, the venom may cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can lead to symptoms like difficulty breathing, vomiting or diarrhea, fainting and skin reactions.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • There is a strong sense of hatred toward Netanyahu, whose calls for the Iranian public to take this opportunity to rise up and overthrow their leaders are seemingly falling flat.
    NBC News, NBC news, 19 June 2025
  • Miller is a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Perhaps the surprise return of Egghead Vance will turn it into symbol of resistance, seen at every demonstration against the cruelties and greed of the Trump machine.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025
  • Other laws set to take effect on July 1 in Florida include House Bill 255, establishing harsher penalties for animal cruelty, and House Bill 653, setting new aggravating factors when determining whether someone convicted of a capital felony should receive the death penalty.
    Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • In spite of SSDs capturing market share due to speed and efficiency, their higher cost per terabyte continues to make HDDs indispensable for large-scale storage.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • The rally reflects growing investor confidence in the chipmaker’s dominance in artificial intelligence, in spite of export restrictions to China.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The filmmakers know exactly how to leverage Hawkins’s warm, naturalistic screen presence, using her offbeat sweetness to keep the audience guessing as to her character’s exact level of malevolence.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Fu also singled out Israel and called for efforts to bring an end to the hostilities.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 23 June 2025
  • Recent Market Performance Since the start of the current Israel-Iran hostilities on June 13, the S&P 500 has been 1.2% lower.
    Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
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

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Cite this Entry

“Malice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malice. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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