Synonyms of malevolence

malevolence

noun

mə-ˈle-və-lən(t)s 

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

• malice
• venom
• hatred
• cruelty
• maliciousness
• spite
• hatefulness
• meanness
• hostility
• malignity
• spitefulness
• viciousness
• malignancy
• jealousy
• contempt
• malignance
• bitterness
• disgust
• nastiness
• spleen
• despite
• hate
• disdain
• resentment
• animosity
• antagonism
• cattiness
• enmity
• vindictiveness
• abusiveness
• loathing
• antipathy
• abhorrence
• rancor
• distaste
• horror
• abomination
• revulsion
• repulsion
• repugnance
• jaundice
• vengefulness
• grudge
• mean-spiritedness
• invidiousness
• ill will
• virulence
• execration
• bile
• scorn
• vitriol
• aversion
• despicableness
• bitchiness
• bitchery
• pique

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• love
• devotion
• passion
• friendliness
• amiability
• hospitality
• cordiality
• civility
• amity
• worship
• adoration
• infatuation
• kindness
• ardor
• veneration
• affection
• understanding
• sympathy
• kindliness
• amicability
• charity
• friendship
• goodwill
• empathy
• comity

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

Examples of malevolence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is the iconic horror baddie he was meant to play, a deeply unnerving dollmaker who warbles with musical malevolence, confounds the law with his Zodiac-like ciphers, and lives for glam rock and killing sprees. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 11 July 2024

But their mother, Ai Ling (Ding Ning), a glamorous widow and nightclub singer, disagrees, convinced of her elder son’s malevolence. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 10 July 2024

Nationalist passions surged in both countries from the 1890s onward, as did darker notions of the malevolence of the other. —Odd Arne Westad, Foreign Affairs, 13 June 2024

There is one more way the United States can help stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions—and the rest of the regime’s malevolence. —Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023