malevolence
Americannoun
Related Words
Malevolence, malignity, rancor suggest the wishing of harm to others. Malevolence is a smoldering ill will: a vindictive malevolence in her expression. Malignity is a deep-seated and virulent disposition to injure; it is more dangerous than malevolence, because it is not only more completely concealed but it often instigates harmful acts: The malignity of his nature was shocking. Rancor is a lasting, corrosive, and implacable hatred and resentment.
Etymology
Origin of malevolence
First recorded in 1425–75; from Latin malevolentia, from malevolent- (stem of malevolēns malevolent ) + -ia -y; replacing late Middle English malivolence, from Middle French, from Latin, as above
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He concedes, quite ruefully, that in his coverage of war-torn Syria he utterly misread the malevolence of Bashar al-Assad.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025
After messaging became direct, Mr Price said there was never "malevolence" and that all the numbers she contacted were publicly available after being leaked in the Portuguese police files.
From BBC • Nov. 4, 2025
Szaniawski, who acknowledges that the audience is meant to recognize Torrance is "completely insane," added that the film nevertheless shows that Jack's malevolence is also rooted in commonplace misogyny.
From Salon • Oct. 7, 2024
Sheen shows the prince as out of his depth in front of such malevolence.
From BBC • Sep. 18, 2024
This is what allows her to wander the world, spreading her malevolence and sorrow.
From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
