MALEVOLENCES 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

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 Reactions from tour loyalists at the time ranged from indifference to malevolence. — Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026 Mikey Madison does a stellar job of switching back and forth between homicidal malevolence and victimhood, going straight for pity whenever Amber is cornered. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for malevolence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for malevolence

Noun

Good intentions can become intentional malice when policymakers ignore clear warnings and leave taxpayers stuck with the bill.

— Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
Takamura tasks Musashi with eliminating the malice that has spread around the city.

— Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of malice

Noun

Deputies tried to keep the man alert and clam to help avoid the venom's spread before medical personnel arrived, the Facebook post stated.

— Christian Cervantes, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Veterinarians determined that the snake's venom poisoned Samba, prompting them to give her antivenin.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of venom

Noun

His hatred of the Islamic State group appears genuine, and American cooperation with Damascus against the terrorist network will benefit the Syrians who suffered most under its rule.

— Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Yet Christ Jesus consistently refused to let fear, hatred, or sin define his view of anyone’s identity.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

The bureau will additionally consider applicants who have engaged in bestiality or animal cruelty as long as the incidents occurred before the applicant was 18 years old, the sources said, according to CBS News.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026
The Looney Tunes animation–live action hybrid film is an inspired David-and-Goliath tale about the overreach and cruelty of corporations in the modern age, and its journey to release is a real-life corollary.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of cruelty

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 3 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of malevolence

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

recalcitrant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes