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Malice vs Malign - What's the difference?

malice | malign |

As a noun malice

is intention to harm or deprive in an illegal or immoral way. Desire to take pleasure in another's misfortune.

As an adjective malign is

evil or malignant in disposition, nature, intent or influence.

As a verb malign is

to make defamatory statements about; to slander or traduce.

malice

English

Noun

(-)
  • Intention to harm or deprive in an illegal or immoral way. Desire to take pleasure in another's misfortune.
  • * 1981 , , Valis , ISBN 0-553-20594-3, page 67:
  • not only was there no gratitude (which he could psychologically handle) but downright malice showed itself instead.

    Synonyms

    * ill will * wickedness * evilness

    Derived terms

    * malicious

    Anagrams

    * ----

    malign

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • evil or malignant in disposition, nature, intent or influence.
  • * Francis Bacon
  • Witchcraft may be by operation of malign spirits.
  • malevolent.
  • * 1891 -
  • He was sure they [the stars] were arranged in some order which had a secret and malign significance.
  • (oncology) malignant
  • a malign ulcer
    (Francis Bacon)

    Antonyms

    * benign

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make defamatory statements about; to slander or traduce.
  • * South
  • To be envied and shot at; to be maligned standing, and to be despised falling.
  • (archaic) To treat with malice; to show hatred toward; to abuse; to wrong.
  • * Spenser
  • The people practice what mischiefs and villainies they will against private men, whom they malign by stealing their goods, or murdering them.

    Synonyms

    * See also