Words / M / Law

malice

noun/ˈmælɪs/

B1CEFR level
30/100Rarity: fairly common
TechnicalRegister

The intention or reckless disregard that makes a wrongful act blameworthy in law.

In law, malice need not mean spite; a reckless disregard for life can suffice.

Similar: ill will, wrongful intent

Topic: Criminal law in Legal English

Rarity runs from 0 (a word everyone knows) to 100 (almost never seen outside specialist or literary writing). Level is the word's real difficulty on the CEFR scale, from A1 to C2.

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More law words: Criminal law