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

as in malice

the desire to cause pain for the satisfaction of doing harm only mindless malevolence would explain this cruel vandalism

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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

But on Wednesday, the jury in the latest trial found that MGA had not acted with malice, meaning no punitive damages would be awarded.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026
The company’s own investigation points less to malice than to a process that never engaged.

— Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of malice

Noun

Yet, in a surprising departure from the real-life Caroline’s historical hatred of Native Americans, this version of the character ultimately befriends White Sun and teaches Good Eagle.

— Max Gao, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
For some unapologetic antisemites like Fuentes, there’s ample evidence of blatant anti-Jewish hatred on display.

— Will Carless, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

Assembly Bill 2344 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) would give animals seized in cruelty cases a respite from crowded shelters by allowing them to be placed in foster homes or with animal rescue groups.

— Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
The stupidity of losing his car was one thing; the cruelty of forcing her to make that choice was quite another.

— Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Definition of cruelty

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“Malevolence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malevolence. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of malevolence

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