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.
彼の目には明らかな殺意が浮かんでいた。
Clear murderous intent showed in his eyes.
He testified that he had harbored murderous intent toward his boss.
検察は被告に殺意があったと主張した。
The prosecution argued that the defendant had the intent to kill.
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.
犯意 is the broad legal term for criminal intent (mens rea) covering any crime, while 殺意 specifically means the intent to kill.
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.