MALEVOLENCE Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

malevolence

noun

mə-ˈle-və-lən(t)s

Definition of malevolence next

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 There are cheerful barging amateurs, happy to be bounced about, and there are prowling malevolences, waiting for the moment to blindside someone or chuck an elbow in their face. —

James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025 Every way something rolled back is reinstated is a sign that nothing, not even malevolence, is forever. —

Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025 The reality is, the Democrats in Washington are refusing to fund the federal government, while blaming Republicans for their own malevolence. —

Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025 Fonda arrived in Rome with his blue eyes darkened by contact lenses, the better to convey malevolence. —

Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for malevolence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for malevolence

Noun

DeBesse said the district concluded there was no malice on the part of the family.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026
This is not malice or intention.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 May 2026

Definition of malice

Browse Nearby Words

males

malevolence

malevolent

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Malevolence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malevolence. Accessed 29 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of malevolence

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on malevolence

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cohort

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

On ‘Suffice It to Say’

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

What to Call the Inept, Incompetent, and Inferior

The Words of the Week - May 29

Popular

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Strange Words for Body Functions

Games & Quizzes