How to pronounce malevolence
Say it like muh-LEV-uh-luns. Malevolence has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce malevolence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- muh
- LEV
- uh
- luns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Malevolence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of malevolence
American and British speakers say malevolence in essentially the same way: /məˈlɛvələns/ in the US and /məˈlɛvələns/ in the UK.
British respelling: muh-LEV-uh-luns.
What does malevolence mean?
- Hostile attitude or feeling.“to show someone malevolence”
- Behavior exhibiting a hostile attitude.
Where does malevolence come from?
From Middle French malevolence, from Latin malevolentia (“malevolence”), derived from malevolēns (“malevolent”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with malevolence
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of malevolence.
Questions about saying malevolence
How do you pronounce malevolence?
Say muh-LEV-uh-luns. The American pronunciation is /məˈlɛvələns/. In British English it is /məˈlɛvələns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in malevolence?
Malevolence has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEV). Broken into parts: muh · LEV · uh · luns.
Do Americans and Brits say malevolence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /məˈlɛvələns/ and the British form is /məˈlɛvələns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.