Meaning & use
malice
The intention or desire to cause harm, suffering, or injury to another person.
See it in a sentence
There was no malice behind the comment; he simply spoke without thinking.
The prosecutor argued that the attack had been carried out with clear malice.
A note on using this word
The common phrase malice aforethought is a legal term describing the deliberate intent required to prove certain serious crimes.
Words with a similar meaning
spiteill will
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
kindnessgoodwill
Make it your own
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