with malice

USAGE SUMMARY

"with malice" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action or behavior that is carried out with the intention of causing harm or damage. Examples: 1. The defendant acted with malice when he deliberately stole from the elderly couple. 2. The children's teasing was done with malice, causing the victim to feel hurt and humiliated. 3. The politician's speech was filled with malice towards his opponent, revealing his true intentions. 4. She couldn't hide the malice in her voice as she confronted her former friend. 5. The graffiti on the wall was done with malice, defacing the public property.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Put muse there," she said with malice.

Independent

He snatched rebounds with malice.

The New York Times - Sports

I realize not all taxi theft occurs with malice.

The New York Times

"He determined that the assault occurred with malice aforethought".

The New York Times

Loaded often with malice, his jokes told against his enemies but also lost him friends.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In politics, the naming is almost always with malice (or niceness) aforethought.

The New Yorker

Her friendliness is puzzling — merely social, almost impersonal — and possibly touched with malice.

The New Yorker

"With malice toward none," Abraham Lincoln wrote, "with charity for all".

The New York Times - Sports

But he is much given to making threats, bearing grudges and behaving with malice aforethought.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I didn't say it with malice or to brag," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Thoughts and feelings can be saturated with malice and sometimes this is directed at the therapist.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with malice" to clearly convey that an action was performed with a conscious desire to cause harm or suffering. It strengthens the description by emphasizing the intent behind the act.

Common error

Avoid using "with malice" when describing unintentional harm or accidents. Malice implies a deliberate intent to cause damage or distress, whereas negligence suggests a lack of due care. Ensure your word choice accurately reflects the intent behind the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with malice" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically describing the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that the action is carried out with a specific intent to cause harm or suffering, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Books

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with malice" is a phrase used to describe actions carried out with the intention of causing harm, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial modifier and appears frequently in news, media, and legal contexts. To ensure proper usage, remember that malice implies deliberate intent, differentiating it from negligence or unintentional harm. Related phrases like "with malicious intent" or "out of spite" can offer nuanced alternatives. The high prevalence of this phrase across reputable sources underscores its grammatical correctness and semantic clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with malicious intent

Replaces the noun "malice" with the adjective "malicious" and adds "intent" for emphasis.

with intent to harm

Directly states the purpose of the action is to cause harm.

with ill will

Emphasizes the negative feeling or desire behind the action.

out of spite

Focuses on the feeling of spite as the motivator for the action.

with cruel intentions

Emphasizes the cruelty and planning behind the action.

malevolently

Uses an adverb to describe the action being done in a malevolent manner.

in a vindictive manner

Indicates the action is done as revenge or to punish someone.

prompted by animosity

Highlights the underlying feeling of animosity driving the action.

deliberately harmful

Highlights the intention to cause harm through the action.

with wicked purpose

Emphasizes the moral wrongness and specific aim of the action.

FAQs

How is "with malice" used in legal contexts?

In legal settings, "with malice" often indicates a higher degree of culpability, signifying that an act was committed intentionally and with the goal of causing harm or damage. This can elevate the severity of charges and potential penalties.

What are some synonyms for "with malice" that I can use in my writing?

Alternatives to "with malice" include "with malicious intent", "out of spite", or "malevolently", each carrying slightly different nuances but conveying a similar sense of intentional harm.

What is the difference between "with malice" and "with forethought"?

"With malice" implies a desire to cause harm, while "with forethought" simply means that an action was planned in advance. An action can be taken with forethought but without malice if the intent is not to cause harm, and vice versa.

Is it redundant to say "with malice aforethought"?

The phrase "malice aforethought" is a legal term of art used to define a specific element of murder. While seemingly redundant, it has a precise legal meaning that goes beyond simply acting "with malice". It implies premeditation and intent to kill or cause serious bodily harm.