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
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Law. evil intent on the part of a person who commits a wrongful act injurious to others.
noun
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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.
Mr Walker said he bore "no malice" to the child for the life-changing injury he suffered.
From BBC
Russell said he was wary ahead of the meeting but his brother had said he bore no malice or bitterness about the adoption.
From BBC
Elen said it "doesn't really matter" whether the comments were made out of malice or ignorance.
From BBC
His face is sunken, but his deep blue eyes glint with dark malice.
From Literature
"The actual malice here is the knowing dissemination of something that was purported to be verbatim, but which is not," said Mr Neuborne, the former national legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union.
From BBC
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.
