What does maleficence mean?
Maleficence is a formal noun meaning harmful or wicked conduct, especially conduct that is deliberate. It can refer either to an evil quality in general or to a particular harmful act. The word is often associated with moral or legal discussion, but it also appears in literary and philosophical writing, where it gives a serious tone to descriptions of cruelty, corruption, or the systematic infliction of harm. Maleficence is more specific than simply saying that something is bad, because it implies wrongdoing that causes injury or suffering. Although it can describe the character or intention behind an action, it most naturally focuses on conduct itself. In modern usage, the word is uncommon but unambiguous, and it provides a concise alternative to longer expressions such as harmful wrongdoing or deliberate evil.
The quality of being harmful or wicked, especially the deliberate doing of evil or injury.
"The campaign condemned the political party for its maleficence and abuse of public trust."
Formal and relatively rare; more common in legal, moral, and literary contexts.
A particular harmful, cruel, or wicked act.
"Every maleficence in the report was carefully documented by the commission."
Usually used in elevated or formal prose.
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon; plural forms are often avoided because the word is normally used in abstract or literary contexts.
"The inquiry examined the maleficences committed during the conflict."
Maleficence gives a formal name to the deliberate doing of harm: it points not merely to an evil intention, but to an evil act.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does maleficence come from?
Maleficence comes from Latin maleficentia, a noun formed from maleficus, meaning harmful or wicked, and ultimately from malus, “evil,” combined with facere, “to do.” The related English words malefic, maleficent, malevolence, and malefactor reflect the same Latin vocabulary. Its cognate beneficence has a parallel formation with the opposite sense, based on bene, “well,” and facere, “to do.”
Related word forms
How maleficence is actually used
A formal and relatively uncommon word. It is more typical of legal, philosophical, literary, or deliberately elevated prose than of everyday speech.
Easily confused with maleficence
Maleficence is an action or the quality of causing harm, whereas malevolence usually means a hostile or spiteful intention toward others.
Maleficence means harmful or evil conduct, while a malefactor is a person who commits such acts.