Malice Definition – Meaning and Usage in a Sentence

Did you know that the English language has many incredible inventions, interpretations, and exciting words? You might think you know a particular word and its meaning but later find out that that is not the case. For example, you’ve probably heard of the word malice, but do you know the correct malice definition and usage in sentences?

The word “malice” has several meanings, and it is best to learn about them before you start using this vocabulary in your speech or writing. In most cases, “malice” means “the desire to cause distress, injury, or pain to another.” Use the word in sentences to showcase wrongdoings.

Different fields use the word “malice” differently and in various forms. In this piece, you’ll learn what “malice” means in various forms and how to use it in the respective contexts. We will also go in-depth on the denotation and connotation of the word and highlight its history and etymology. Let’s get straight into it.

What Is The Definition of Malice?

The most known definition of “malice” is “active ill will” or “spite.” “Malice” also means “having intentional desire to do bad things.”

The word “malice” is a bad word, and you should use it when someone shows wickedness. However, note that “malice” is not used when the evil done is not intentional. For you to use the word “malice,” you must be talking about an evil done intentionally by someone who wants to cause harm.

“Malice” is only shown by someone towards the people they dislike. It is also vital to understand that “malice” is more potent than spite. A person can have many different emotions, but “malice” is one of the most dangerous. If you enjoy comics or superhero movies, the best way to understand the word “malice” is the feeling that every villain has in every comic or movie.

Example sentences:

• John sacked his assistant out of sheer malice.
• The detective suspected that the butler had killed his boss because he detected a tone of malice when he was questioning him about the case.
• The malice that he felt towards his teacher was what provoked his words.

Family Words of Malice

Some words can be used to describe malice or negative intent. Malicious and maliciously are the most commonly used word forms. Let’s learn more about these words below.

1. Malicious: (adjective)

The word malicious is an adjective that means “the desire to harm others.” “Feeling the need to see others suffer.” Someone malicious enjoys hurting or embarrassing others.

Example in sentences:

• Jane was spreading malicious gossip about Anne to the other girls in the cheering squad.
• The act by the convict was malicious and uncalled for.
• Cinderella’s stepmother was malicious and evil.

1. Maliciously: (adverb)

The word maliciously means “in a manner characterized by malice or intent to harm.

Example in sentences:

• He was mad because of the maliciously constructed website.
• The judge found the defendant not guilty since there was no proof that he acted maliciously.
• If you act maliciously, then you will not make friends.

Synonyms of the Word Malice

When learning a word, you look at the synonyms to help you better express yourself. Knowing the words that describe the same thing but from slightly different angles will help you choose the best synonym when you write or communicate. Here are synonyms of the word malice.

• Animosity
• Ill will
• Hatred
• Bitterness
• Spite
• Venom
• Malevolence

What Is The Meaning of Malice?

Malice also means “acting without justification or excuse” or “to commit or to act unlawfully,” In law, malice can either apply or express “malice.” 

That is why “malice” is quite common in criminal law. You can use the word as it is or interchangeably in its different forms when in the legal context. Here are some sentences to help you learn.

Example sentences:

• She got arrested because of her malice.
• Due to his malicious act towards his children, the law intervened.
• The evidence shows that malice made him break his neighbor’s window.

What Does Malice Mean in Religion?

In religion, you will easily hear the word “malice.” It means “wickedness.” “Confirmed anger, or “evil.” In fact, across all religions, malice always shows extreme negativity associated with evil and anger.

Religions also use “malice” to show how someone is evil or a sinner. Note that when using “malice” in the religious setting, use the word only when the person or evil spirit has intentionally committed the sin or the deed.

Is Malice a Negative Word?

The word “malice” is used in scenarios where there is badness or evilness. Thus, this is a negative word and cannot be used positively. Likewise, the word is used in cases where evil is done intentionally by someone who seeks to cause harm. Each time this word appears, it means evil or doing something wrong. Simply put, malice is a negative word no matter what setting it is being used.

How to Use Malice in a Sentence?

The word “malice” is used as a noun in a sentence. It is used to identify a person or a thing that is evil or does bad things to a person intentionally. In its forms, you can use it as an adverb or adjective.

The words you use in a sentence can make others feel good or humiliated. They impact communication and the type of conversation you will have with other people. If you are using malice in a presentation or writing, do it right for people to comprehend what you are trying to say. Note that the power of words goes beyond just mentioning them.

10 Examples of Malice in a Sentence

When learning a new word, most people usually search for its definition. But that is not enough to make you understand a word. It is vital to learn the meaning and use it in sentences. You can also learn a word by reading different sentences. For example, here are sentences to help you learn the word “malice.”

1. She ran away because of the malice she saw in his eyes.
2. Because of malice, the truth of what happened was not revealed.
3. The reason people liked Mary was that there was no malice in her comments.
4. The judge bore me no malice.
5. People called her a saint since she did not have a particle of malice in her.
6. We should all avoid malice since it sparks off enmity.
7. They send her a letter out of malice.
8. There was no ounce of truth in the story; it seemed they made it up out of malice.
9. The company grew and expanded since there was no actual malice between the dealings with the partners.
10. It was all excellently intended without any malice.

How Do You Spell Malice?

The word “malice” is spelled as m-a-l-i-c-e.

“Malice” is one of the most mispronounced words. The reason is that instead of “ice,” most people use the letter “s.” But the suffix in the word “malice,” which is “ice,” is pronounced as” s.” So next time you are writing the word, ensure that you use proper spelling.

English is vast and complex, and some words do not have the exact spellings in American and British English. That is why you must learn the spelling of words and articulate them right in both accents. Luckily, when it comes to the word “malice,” you do not have to worry about the accent because the spelling does not change.

How Do You Pronounce Malice?

The word “malice” is pronounced as mal. is. When pronouncing the word, rush through the “mali” sound and add the “ce” sound. Pronunciation is just as important as spelling when using a word.

How Many Syllables Are In Malice?

The word malice has two syllables. The syllables are divided as “mal” and “ice.” The stressed syllable is Mal.

History & Etymology of Malice

The word “malice” is originally from Latin “malitia,” which means “bad quality” or” ill will.” The old French language borrowed the word from Latin and changed it to “malice.” Then the English language borrowed the word from the French to mean “Ill intention.”

When Was Malice First Used?

The word “malice” was first introduced in the English language in the 1300s. The word was borrowed from the Old French and means “desire to hurt another.” 

It was then introduced in legal space in the 1540s to mean “doing mischief to another without justification or excuse. Its meaning has never changed since it was introduced in the English language.

Conclusion

You now internalize the information highlighted above about the word “malice.” After reading the definition, meaning, and usage in sentences, you now know how to best use the word. It is vital to learn the meaning of words before you use them.

It also helps to find out how to use different words in different contexts. Can you now use the word “malice?” Try writing a few sentences so that you can build the confidence needed to use “malice” in your day-to-day conversations.