Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - malice

 noun  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin malitia, from malus bad  Date: 14th century  1. desire to cause pain, injury, or distress to another  2. intent to commit an unlawful act or cause harm without legal justification or excuse Synonyms:  ~, malevolence, ill will, spite, malignity, spleen, grudge mean the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress. ~ implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer felt no ~ toward their former enemies. malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct a look of dark malevolence. ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration ill will provoked by a careless remark. spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments petty insults inspired by spite. malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness a life consumed by motiveless malignity. spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent ~ venting his spleen against politicians. grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction never one to harbor a grudge.