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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

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.