malice

[ mal-is ]

/ ˈmæl ɪs /

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noun

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.

Law. evil intent on the part of a person who commits a wrongful act injurious to others.

Nearby words

mali empire, malibran, malibu board, malic, malic acid, malice, malice aforethought, malicious, malicious mischief, malign, malignancy

Origin of malice

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French < Latin malitia. See mal-, -ice

SYNONYMS FOR malice

1 ill will, spite, spitefulness; animosity, enmity; malevolence; venom, hate, hatred; bitterness, rancor. See grudge.

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ANTONYMS FOR malice

1 benevolence, goodwill.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for malice

It was a review of Lady Macbeth, and it dripped with malice.
When Stalin Met Lady Macbeth|Brian Moynahan|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Polish them until they gleam with malice, wicked glee, and non-registry gifts.
The First-World Anarchist’s Guide to Weddings|Kelly Williams Brown|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Why does Rivers' joke have the sting of deliberate shock without any of the other joke's malice?
Can the Holocaust be Funny?|Tom Doran|April 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
What came out instead was the opposite: mean-spirited, nasty, laced with malice and threat.
You’re Over, Lance Armstrong|Buzz Bissinger|January 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST

When I was pondering shooting up my school, I rarely thought of doing it out of malice against the other students.
I Was Adam Lanza, Part 3|David Frum|December 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
So easily without care or trouble may the brunts of malice be declined or repelled.
Sermons on Evil-Speaking|Isaac Barrow
She would confute the malice spoken by Koúmé, by parent and child.
The Yotsuya Kwaidan or O'Iwa Inari|James S. De Benneville
He struck it home and deep, with all the Malice of an angry God.
The Works of Aphra Behn|Aphra Behn
His malice towards Smith was of the bitterest character, and he had an opportunity now of making it felt.
Early Western Travels 1748-1846, Volume 28|Various
Nevertheless, when industry is directed by malice, each may easily be attempting to snap an advantage from the other.
The Life of John of Barneveld, 1614-23, Volume II.|John Lothrop Motley

British Dictionary definitions for malice

malice

/ (ˈmælɪs) /

noun

the desire to do harm or mischief

evil intent

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

Word Origin for malice

C13: via Old French from Latin malitia, from malus evil

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