malice

UK: /ˈmælɪs/ US: /ˈmælɪs/ ,(mal′is)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

mal•ice /ˈmælɪs/   n. [uncountable]

1. a desire to inflict harm or suffering on another:
   His malice toward his opponent did not stop after the election.

ma•li•cious /məˈlɪʃəs/  adj.: 

His malicious attempts to discredit her backfired.

ma•li•cious•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

mal•ice  (mal′is), n. 

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.

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

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

• 1. benevolence, goodwill.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

malice / ˈmælɪs/ noun

1. the desire to do harm or mischief
2. evil intent
3. the state of mind with which an act is committed and from which the intent to do wrong may be inferred

Etymology: 13th Century: via Old French from Latin malitia, from malus evil