What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Malice vs Vindictive - What's the difference?

malice | vindictive |

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 vindictive is

having a tendency to seek revenge when wronged, vengeful.

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

    * ----

    vindictive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having a tendency to seek revenge when , vengeful.
  • * {{quote-book
  • , year=1920 , author=D. H. Lawrence , title=Women in Love , chapter=18 citation , passage=The vindictive mockery in her voice made his brain quiver.}}
  • * {{quote-book
  • , year=1933 , author=H. G. Wells , title=The Shape of Things to Come citation , passage=The victors will exact vindictive penalties and the losers of course will undertake to pay, but none of them realizes that money is going to do the most extraordinary things to them when they begin upon that.}}
  • (obsolete) punitive
  • Synonyms

    * vengeful, revengeful, nasty * See also

    Derived terms

    * vindictively * vindictiveness