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Malice vs Menace - What's the difference?

malice | menace |

As nouns the difference between malice and menace

is that malice is intention to harm or deprive in an illegal or immoral way. Desire to take pleasure in another's misfortune while menace is a perceived threat or danger.

As a verb menace is

to make threats against (someone); to intimidate.

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

    Related terms

    * malady

    External links

    * *

    Anagrams

    * ----

    menace

    English

    Etymology 1

    First attested ante 1300: from the (etyl) manace, menace, from the (etyl) .

    Noun

    (menaces)
  • a perceived threat or danger
  • * Dryden
    • the dark menace of the distant war
  • the act of threatening
  • an annoying and bothersome person

    • References

    * “ menace, n.'']” listed in the '' [2nd Ed.; 1989

    Etymology 2

    First attested in 1303: from the (etyl) menacer, manecier, manechier and the (etyl) manasser, from the assumed , whence .

    Verb

    (transitive'' or ''intransitive )
  • To make threats against (someone); to intimidate.
    • to menace a country with war
  • * Shakespeare
    • My master did menace me with death.
  • To threaten (an evil to be inflicted).
  • * Shakespeare
    • By oath he menaced / Revenge upon the cardinal.
  • To endanger (someone or something); to imperil or jeopardize.

    • References

    * “ menace, v.'']” listed in the ''Oxford English Dictionary [2nd Ed.; 1989 ----