malevolence

noun

ma·​lev·​o·​lence mə-ˈle-və-lən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of being malevolent

slander that arose from pure malevolence

2

: malevolent behavior

an era full of selfishness and malevolence

Synonyms

• cattiness
• despite
• hatefulness
• malice
• maliciousness
• malignance
• malignancy
• malignity
• meanness
• nastiness
• spite
• spitefulness
• spleen
• venom
• viciousness

Choose the Right Synonym for malevolence

malice, malevolence, ill will, spite, malignity, spleen, grudge mean the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress.

malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer.

felt no malice toward their former enemies

malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct.

a look of dark malevolence

ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

ill will provoked by a careless remark

spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments.

petty insults inspired by spite

malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness.

a life consumed by motiveless malignity

spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.

venting his spleen against politicians

grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction.

never one to harbor a grudge

Examples of malevolence in a Sentence

only mindless malevolence would explain this cruel vandalism

Recent Examples on the Web

Esposito at least tries to have fun with some of Cicero’s malevolence, and Plaza tries vainly to strike an over-the-top tone that leans into the story's absurdity. —EW.com, 12 Sep. 2024

But in doing so, writer-director James Watkins has swapped out malevolence for a tamer sense of misadventure. —Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024

Original franchise star Ellen Burstyn returned as Chris MacNeil to face this malevolence. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 5 Sep. 2024

Creatures of folklore and forces of gothic malevolence gave way to atomic behemoths, the irradiated bugs, reptiles and suddenly colossal housewives of the 1950s. —A.a. Dowd, Washington Post, 31 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

malevolence

noun

ma·​lev·​o·​lence mə-ˈlev-ə-lən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of being malevolent

2

: malevolent behavior