malice
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for malice, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The intention to harm someone or do something wrong or illegal.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use malice
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
malice aforethought
bear malice
without malice
malice toward none
Etymology
From Old French malice, from Latin malitia, "badness or ill will," itself from malus, "bad."
Full origin of malice →Frequently asked questions
What does “malice” mean?
The word “malice” means the intention to harm someone or do something wrong or illegal. In plain terms, a deliberate wish or intent to cause harm to someone.
How do you pronounce “malice”?
“Malice” is pronounced MA-lihs (/ˈmælɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “malice” in a sentence?
Here is “malice” used in a sentence: “There was no malice behind the comment — it was simply a poor choice of words.”
What part of speech is “malice”?
“Malice” is a noun.
Where does the word “malice” come from?
The word “malice” comes from Latin. From Old French malice, from Latin malitia, "badness or ill will," itself from malus, "bad.".
Is “malice” a common word?
“Malice” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
