Word
malice
Phoneticsmal·ice, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmæɫəs/
UK/mˈælɪs/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the wish to hurt or upset someone on purpose. You use this when someone does something bad because they want to be mean, not by mistake.
n. the intention or desire to cause harm, pain, or distress to another person. In legal contexts, it refers to the state of mind required for certain crimes, indicating a conscious intent to do wrong.
Examples
“He did not act out of malice.”
“The judge ruled that the defendant acted with malice, as he had planned the attack weeks in advance.”
“While the criticism was harsh, it appeared to be born of genuine concern for the project's success rather than any personal malice toward the lead architect.”
Examples
simple
“He did not act out of malice.”
contextual
“The judge ruled that the defendant acted with malice, as he had planned the attack weeks in advance.”
complex
“While the criticism was harsh, it appeared to be born of genuine concern for the project's success rather than any personal malice toward the lead architect.”
Usage
Commonly follows the preposition 'with' or 'out of'.
Real-World Examples
“It applies to unlawful killings committed with malice or extreme recklessness, but without prior planning.” Etymology
From Middle English malice, borrowed from Old French malice, from Latin malitia (“badness, bad quality, ill-will, spite”), from malus (“bad”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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