malice
MAL-iss
/ˈmæl.ɪs/
The desire to harm someone; ill will or spite.
In legal and general usage, refers specifically to deliberate, conscious intent to cause injury or suffering.
The story behind the word. From Old French 'malice' and Latin 'malitia' (ill will, wickedness), rooted in 'malus' (bad). It entered English in the 14th century as a key term in both moral philosophy and criminal law.
Word relationships
- spite: Spite is often petty or small-minded, whereas malice can be severe, criminal, or deeply calculated.
- malevolence: Malevolence refers to the overall evil disposition, while malice often refers to the specific desire or action to cause harm.
- charity: Charity refers to kindness, goodwill, and love toward others.
- benevolence: Benevolence means the desire to do good to others.
Commonly confused with
- militia: A militia is a military force raised from the civil population; malice is ill intent.
Word family
- malicious (adjective): Characterized by or showing malice.
- maliciously (adverb): In a malicious manner.
Collocations
- malice forethought
- bear malice
- pure malice
Example sentences
- "With malice toward none, with charity for all, let us strive on to finish the work we are in." Historical address
- "The prosecutor argued that the defendant acted with malice forethought when planning the heist." Legal proceeding
Memory hook
MALICE is when someone wants to do MAL (bad) to ICE your plans. Deliberate intent to cause harm.
When not to use
Do not use to describe general bad luck or accidental injury.
Fun facts
- In libel law, 'actual malice' has a specific technical meaning: publishing statements knowing they are false or with reckless disregard for the truth.
Related words
Explore more words
malicious, malevolence, spiteful, malign, vengeance, vindictiveness
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