malevolence

noun

mə-ˈle-və-lən(t)s How to pronounce malevolence (audio)
Definition of malevolencenext
as in malice
the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm only mindless malevolence would explain this cruel vandalism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun malevolence differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of malevolence are grudge, ill will, malice, malignity, spite, and spleen. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

When is grudge a more appropriate choice than malevolence?

While in some cases nearly identical to malevolence, grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

When would ill will be a good substitute for malevolence?

The words ill will and malevolence are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

When is it sensible to use malice instead of malevolence?

While the synonyms malice and malevolence are close in meaning, malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

When could malignity be used to replace malevolence?

The meanings of malignity and malevolence largely overlap; however, malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

Where would spite be a reasonable alternative to malevolence?

In some situations, the words spite and malevolence are roughly equivalent. However, spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

When might spleen be a better fit than malevolence?

The synonyms spleen and malevolence are sometimes interchangeable, but spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of malevolence The malevolence of this cursed banger will plague and stimulate clubs, dance floors, and Juneteenths for generations. —Stephen Kearse, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025 David Lynch’s cinematic masterpiece pulls back the curtain on the sadism and malevolence hiding behind the picket fences of middle America. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025 The London Cat, a great skinless feline who likes to turn people inside-out and embodies all the mischief and malevolence of cats). —Christian Holub, EW.com, 3 Jan. 2025 The message is the malevolence of AI for the most part. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for malevolence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malevolence
  1. malice
  2. venom
  3. hatred
  4. cruelty
Noun
  • Developing skepticism means questioning information sources and intentions without assuming malice.
    — Omaid Homayun, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The page, which remained available at the time this post went live on Ars, has no reports of malice on Virus Total.
    — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of malice
Noun
  • Bioactive compounds in the venom of related species have contributed to medical advancements, including pain treatments.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Frog venom originated in Mexico and South America and is commonly used for ritual purposes.
    — Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of venom
Noun
  • What’s been really interesting to me about the Blake situation is how much of the hatred against her is coming from women.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Thanks to his efforts to take a chain saw to the federal government through DOGE, Elon Musk has attracted a level of ire from left-wing activists that now rivals their level of hatred for President Trump.
    — The Editors, National Review, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • Sullivan was arrested on March 12 and charged with first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons and first-degree reckless endangerment.
    — Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Officers added at the time that she'd been arrested and charged with assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment in the first degree.
    — Becca Longmire, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of cruelty

Browse Nearby Words

males
malevolence
malevolent
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Cite this Entry

“Malevolence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malevolence. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of malevolence for Spanish Speakers

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