noun

malevolence

muh-LEV-uh-luns/məˈlevələns/

A desire for others to suffer harm.

His malevolence shows in the pleasure he takes in others' suffering.

A white adult secretly loosening the support of a rival's display while glancing spitefully toward them, malicious intent, no physical injury.

Etymology

maleLatinbadly

+volLatinto wish

+enceLatinstate or quality

The pieces convey wishing ill, with the noun ending making this a disposition or quality. Malevolence thus names ill will toward others—the desire that harm come to them.

In context

Esper the Bard53:52

the darkest form of malevolence when someone takes gleeful pleasure out of others most horrific suffering

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More examples

She mistakes his blunt criticism for malevolence.
The message is full of malevolence toward his former friends.
He spreads the rumor out of malevolence, hoping she loses her job.

Forms

malevolence

malevolent adjective — Wanting others to suffer or be harmed.

malevolently adverb — With a wish to cause others harm.

Similar words

malice: Often emphasizes an intention to hurt through specific actions.
spite: Usually involves petty hostility prompted by resentment or wounded pride.
animosity: Emphasizes strong hostility without necessarily wishing actual harm.