malice

[ mal-is ]
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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.

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

Origin of malice

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin malitia; equivalent to mal- + -ice

synonym study For malice

1. See grudge.

Other words for malice

Opposites for malice

Words Nearby malice

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use malice in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for malice

malice

/ (ˈmælɪs) /


noun
  1. the desire to do harm or mischief

  2. evil intent

  1. 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

Origin of malice

1
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