Could malice be synonym for vengeance?

Answer 1

A loose synonym, at best.

Vengeance implies a specific target that harm is to be done to, whereas malice is simply the desire to commit a harmful act.

For example, if I hurt you for offending me, that's malice. If I target you in retaliation for you previously hurting me or someone I care for, that's vengeance.

Answer 2

Malice is not a direct synonym for vengeance. Malice is the intention to do harm to someone, while vengeance is the act of retaliating, typically in response to a perceived wrong or injury. Vengeance may involve malice, but they are distinct concepts.