悪意|あくいakui[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. no-adjectiveill will; spite; evil intention; malice
   あなたの周まわりの人々ひとびとの普通ふつうの行おこないに悪意あくいがあると考かんがえてはいけない。↗

   Don't read evil intentions into the ordinary actions of people around you.
2. no-adjectivebad meaning
3. noun, lawmala fides; bad faith; criminal intent to deceive
4. noun, lawmalice

• Synonym害意がいいWrittenIntent to harm someone; strongly written in flavor. 「悪意」 is broader, covering both harmful intent and malicious readings of words or acts.
• Synonym悪念あくねんWrittenWicked thoughts or schemes; carries a Buddhist flavor and a written tone. In everyday speech 「悪意」 is the normal choice.
• Related犯意はんいFormalFormal legal term for criminal intent: the will to commit an act while aware it is a crime. 「悪意」 is the general word for ill will, used far beyond criminal law.
• Related恨みうらみNeutralResentment or a grudge held in the heart, as in 「恨みを晴らす」. It stresses stored-up bitterness; 「悪意」 stresses the intent to hurt someone.
• Related意地悪いじわるNeutralDeliberately mean or unkind, fond of playing tricks; also describes a nasty streak. Everyday use; 「悪意」 broadly covers harmful intent or malicious readings.
• Related怨念おんねんWrittenA deep, festering grudge, often tinged with vengeful-ghost or curse imagery; darker and more obsessive than 「悪意」. Written register.
• Related邪悪じゃあくWrittenA na-adjective meaning wicked or evil; describes people, thoughts or intentions, as in 「邪悪な考え」. 「悪意」 is the noun for harmful intent in the heart.
• Related遺恨いこんWrittenA grudge that lingers after a conflict, as in 「遺恨を晴らす」. It stresses long-held resentment rather than present intent to harm. Written register.
• Related邪気じゃきWrittenWritten word for malice or wicked vibes, and also for noxious air that causes illness; often negated as in 「邪気のない笑顔」.
• Related害心がいしんWrittenA heart set on harming someone; very rare, found almost only in writing. Say 「悪意」 in everyday contexts.
• Related賊心ぞくしんWrittenA mind bent on evil — stealing or rebellion; archaic and not used in daily speech. Use 「悪意」 instead.
• Related意趣いしゅWrittenA grudge with an urge to get even; can also mean intention. Mostly seen in 「意趣返し」, revenge for a slight. Written register.
• Related意趣遺恨いしゅいこんWrittenFour-character compound for deep, lingering resentment; old-fashioned and rare in daily use. Written register.
• Antonym善意ぜんいNeutralAntonym: goodwill that thinks of the other's benefit; in law it also means lacking knowledge of the facts. The direct opposite of 「悪意」.
• Antonym好意こういNeutralAntonym: kindness, a favor, or fondness toward someone. The direct opposite of 「悪意」.

Use 「悪意」 for ill will — the intent to hurt someone, or a malicious reading of words or acts. For a grudge held in the heart say 「恨み」; for one that lingers, 「遺恨」; in legal contexts, criminal intent is 「犯意」. The antonyms are 「善意」 (goodwill; in law, good faith) and 「好意」 (kindness, favor).

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 相手あいてを悪にくむ気持きもち。又または相手あいてを傷きずつけようとする気持きもちや意図いと。
2. 悪わるい意味いみ。
3. 民事みんじ法ほうにおいて、ある事実じじつを知しっていること。特とくに第三者だいさんしゃが法律的ほうりつてき事実じじつに関かんして、知しっている場合ばあいに用もちいる。善悪ぜんあくの価値かち判断はんだんとは無関係むかんけいである。なお、法令ほうれいにおいて例外的れいがいてきに語義ごぎ1の意味いみで用もちいられることもある。
4. 既知きちの事実じじつに照てらして、「よくない」と知しっていること。