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
Example Sentences
only mindless malevolence would explain this cruel vandalism
Recent Examples on the WebIn a spectacular run of episodes, Primal introduced a vast mysterious world of malevolence and wonder around wandering Spear (Aaron LaPlante) and his trusty Tyrannosaur Fang. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2022 Jesse was the closest thing to a conscience Walt had; once their partnership dissolved, Walt’s malevolence only grew. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2022 There’s a kind of malevolence that looms large precisely because its purview is so paltry.New York Times, 28 June 2022 Danger! — an overwhelming emblem of colonial malevolence. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 23 June 2022 After a long night of drinking and a random bedroom romp with one of the restaurant-goers (Kim Dong-Seok), who will soon enough be confronted by her malevolence, Freddie heads to the adoption center. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 May 2022 Back then, Coriolanus Snow—the white-haired president of Panem, played with elegant malevolence by the incomparable Donald Sutherland in the four cinematic adaptations of Suzanne Collins’s best-selling trilogy—was only an ambitious teenager. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 1 June 2022 For one: how Phil’s malevolence comes from a place of self-loathing and self-protection as a closeted gay man living in Montana in 1925.Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2022 Ayosa wants to go and do, but tragedy and other people’s malevolence stalk her. Nanjala Nyabola, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2022 See More