Usage Note
méchanceté is the abstract noun from méchant ('mean, wicked'). It can refer to the quality of being mean or to a specific nasty act: dire des méchancetés means 'to say mean things'. It is stronger than impolitesse ('rudeness') and implies genuine ill intent. The antonym is gentillesse ('kindness').
Examples
"Sa méchanceté a blessé tout le monde."
Natural Translation
His meanness hurt everyone.
Related Words
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