Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

malice

American  
[mal-is] / ˈmæl ɪs /

noun

  1. desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another, either because of a hostile impulse or out of deep-seated meanness.

    the malice and spite of a lifelong enemy.

    Synonyms:
    rancor, bitterness, hatred, hate, venom, malevolence, enmity, animosity, spitefulness, spite, ill will
    Antonyms:
    goodwill, benevolence
  2. Law. evil intent on the part of a person who commits a wrongful act injurious to others.


malice British  
/ ˈmælɪs /

noun

  1. the desire to do harm or mischief

  2. evil intent

  3. law the state of mind with which an act is committed and from which the intent to do wrong may be inferred See also malice aforethought

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See grudge.

Etymology

Origin of malice

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin malitia; equivalent to mal- + -ice

Explanation

Malice is the intention to cause harm. If someone feels malice toward you, look out! They've got bad intentions. Just like the Spanish mal, this is a word for badness or evil. Malice isn't just any evil, though: it's evil done intentionally by someone seeking to do harm. People feel malice for people they hate. Malice is even stronger than spite. Out of all the emotions and thoughts you can have, malice is one of the most dangerous. Just about every villain in every movie and TV show is full of malice.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing malice

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.

The city, they concluded, had misjudged the situation but had not pursued Gamble from a place of malice.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

“But do keep at it with the fake news, actual malice standard is now what some would call a legal lay up,” he wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

In his ruling, Gayles said he had to dismiss the complaint because Trump had "not plausibly alleged that the Defendants published the Article with actual malice".

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Black said his faith helps him make sense of the violence he witnessed and endured — not simply as the product of individual malice, but as something sustained by collective moral failure.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

It was hissing with malice, stabbing its head forward as it waddled heavily up the shore, and the beak snapped and clacked.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "malice" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com