What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
malevolence
Example
He glared at her with malevolence in his eyes. [malevolence: noun]
Example
She acted with malevolence towards her coworkers, sabotaging their work and spreading rumors. [malevolence: noun]
animosity
Example
There was animosity between the two families that had lasted for generations. [animosity: noun]
Example
She felt animosity towards her former boss, who had fired her unfairly. [animosity: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Animosity is more commonly used than malevolence in everyday language. Animosity is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while malevolence is less common and usually reserved for more extreme situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between malevolence and animosity?
Both malevolence and animosity are formal words that are typically used in serious or professional contexts. However, malevolence may be considered more formal due to its less frequent usage in everyday language.
