malice
MAL-iss
/ˈmælɪs/
The intention or desire to do evil or cause harm to another person.
In law, 'malice aforethought' denotes the mental state required to elevate a homicide to murder.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'malitia' (ill will or spite), derived from the root adjective 'malus' (bad/evil), entering English via Old French.
Word relationships
- ill will: Ill will is a casual expression; malice carries legal weight regarding criminal intent.
- benevolence: Benevolence means goodwill and intent to do good toward others.
Commonly confused with
- malevolence: Malevolence is a general psychological disposition; malice is specific legal intent to cause injury.
Word family
- malicious (adjective): Characterized by malice; intending to do harm.
- maliciously (adverb): In a malicious manner.
Collocations
- malice aforethought
- bear malice
- with pure malice
- actual malice
Idioms & expressions
- with malice aforethought
Example sentences
- "The prosecutor argued that the defendant acted with express malice when purchasing the untraceable poison." Prosecutorial argument
Memory hook
MALICE comes from MAL (bad) - a desire to cause BAD things to happen. Intent to cause harm.
When not to use
Do not use to describe accidental mistakes or unintended clumsy harm.
Fun facts
- In U.S. libel law, public figures must prove 'actual malice'—knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for truth—to win damages.
Related words
Explore more words
malicious, malevolence, spiteful, malign, vengeance, vindictiveness
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