malice
Americannoun
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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
-
Law. evil intent on the part of a person who commits a wrongful act injurious to others.
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 inferred See also malice aforethought
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
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.
Lord Offord claimed there had been "no malice" in the remarks, and he had received a "huge amount of public support from people".
From BBC
In a second phase, jurors added a further $3 million in total punitive damages after finding both companies had acted with malice, oppression or fraud.
From Barron's
Ultimately, the reviews exist to help other guests and hosts to make an informed decision, and the entire system works better if people are honest and act without malice.
From MarketWatch
She argued that prosecutors failed to prove such malice and that the judge never clearly defined that term.
From Los Angeles Times
It was impossible to miss: a vicious crimson, throbbing with malice.
From Literature
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.
