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

Relevance

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 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 Nicolas Cage went for a high-concept ghoul in Longlegs; Hugh Grant reveled in professorial malevolence in Heretic; Naomi Scott unraveled in the face of grinning death in Smile 2. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024 Eastwood’s story runs on the bedrock of the unimpeachable, confident that there is a definite truth to be discovered about an event such as the killing of Kendall and that only malevolence or incompetence could prevent its discovery. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for malevolence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malevolence
  1. malice
  2. venom
  3. hatred
  4. cruelty
Noun
  • Jose Ibarra was convicted Nov. 20, 2024 of malice murder, three counts of felony murder and assault with intent to rape, among other charges, in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court.
    — Alexandra Koch, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Worse than his malice is his neediness, which seems to break through that fourth wall to put its sticky fingers around our throats.
    — Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Definition of malice
Noun
  • Its identity can help ensure correct venom is prescribed.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
  • They are known as some of the most dangerous animals in the sea due to their extremely powerful venom, and several people in Australia have died after being bitten by one, according to the Australian Museum.
    — Jack Guy, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of venom
Noun
  • Even if those two men didn’t make it out of Europe alive, the unspeakable acts carried out in the name of Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich would still live on in infamy, reminding humanity what blind hatred and xenophobia could lead to if a society wasn’t careful.
    — Josh Weiss, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Venerable baby boomer Kevin Bacon plays the titular bounty hunter Hub Halloran, a proud Georgia man with little tolerance for tomfoolery and a hatred of the Red Sox.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • On Wednesday morning, David Reid, 28, of Winsted turned himself in at police headquarters and was arrested on an outstanding warrant charging him with one count of cruelty to animals.
    — Staff report, Hartford Courant, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Kelly Walker, 29, is charged with child abuse, cruelty to animals and the killing and torture of an animal.
    — Chris Spargo, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of cruelty

Browse Nearby Words

males
malevolence
malevolent
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Malevolence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malevolence. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on malevolence

Nglish: Translation of malevolence for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All