intent to kill; murderous intent; urge to kill
Refers to a conscious desire or impulse to kill someone. Often used in legal, psychological, and dramatic contexts.
Clear murderous intent showed in his eyes.
The prosecution argued that the defendant had the intent to kill.
He testified that he had harbored murderous intent toward his boss.
It is said that murderous intent took root from years of resentment.
The defendant admitted to intent to kill in court.
He swung the knife around with murderous intent.
悪意 means general malice or ill will toward someone, whereas 殺意 is the specific, conscious intent to kill.
Compound of 殺 (satsu, 'kill') and 意 (i, 'mind, intent'). The reading is on'yomi. The word is a straightforward Sino-Japanese formation.