n.
Pronunciation: ' ma-l ə s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin malitia, from malus bad
Date: 14th century
1 : desire to cause pain, injury, or distress to another
2 : intent to commit an unlawful act or cause harm without legal justification or excuse
synonyms MALICE , MALEVOLENCE , ILL WILL , SPITE , MALIGNITY , SPLEEN , GRUDGE mean the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress. MALICE implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer <felt no malice toward their former enemies>. MALEVOLENCE suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct <a look of dark malevolence >. ILL WILL implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration < ill will provoked by a careless remark>. SPITE implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments <petty insults inspired by spite >. MALIGNITY implies deep passion and relentlessness <a life consumed by motiveless malignity >. SPLEEN suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice <venting his spleen against politicians>. GRUDGE implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction <never one to harbor a grudge >.