malice
MAL-iss
/ˈmælɪs/
The intention or desire to do evil; ill will.
In law, 'malice' doesn't necessarily mean you hate the victim. It means you have a 'reckless disregard' for human life or a specific intent to cause harm.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'malitia' (badness/wickedness), rooted in 'malus.' It entered English through Old French in the 1300s. In the legal world, it became a technical term to separate cold-blooded crimes from those of passion.
Word relationships
- spite: Spite is a petty desire to annoy or hurt; malice is a deeper, more serious intent to do evil.
- malevolence: Malevolence is a more formal, psychological term for the wish to see others suffer.
- benevolence: The desire to do good; kindness.
- goodwill: Friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude.
Commonly confused with
- intent: Intent is the goal of an action; malice is the evil 'flavor' or quality of that intent.
Word family
- malicious (adjective): Intending or intended to do harm.
- maliciously (adverb): In a manner characterized by malice.
Collocations
- malice aforethought
- with malice
- pure malice
- acted with malice
Idioms & expressions
- with malice aforethought
Example sentences
- "With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in." A famous political quote about reconciliation. (Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address)
- "Murder is the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought." A legal definition of murder. (California Penal Code Section 187)
Memory hook
Malice = Mal (bad) + Ice. A cold, bad heart. Bad intent.
When not to use
Avoid using 'malice' for simple accidents where no ill intent or extreme recklessness was present.
Fun facts
- In libel law, 'actual malice' doesn't mean the writer hated you; it means they knew the information was false or didn't care if it was.
- The term 'malice aforethought' is one of the oldest phrases in English law, dating back to the 14th century.
Related words
Explore more words
malicious, malevolence, spiteful, malign, vengeance, vindictiveness
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