malignancy

noun

ma·​lig·​nan·​cy mə-ˈlig-nən(t)-sē 

plural malignancies

1

: the quality or state of being malignant

2

a

: exhibition (as by a tumor) of malignant qualities : virulence

b

: a malignant tumor

Synonyms of malignancy

• malice
• venom
• hatred
• cruelty

Examples of malignancy in a Sentence

the malignancy of the tumor

The test revealed a malignancy in the patient's chest.

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers will now investigate its efficacy in breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma and other malignancies, and fine tune delivery and dosage methods. —New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2025

Watch it for its skin-deep enticement, its powerful visual devices, but also its concealed malignancy. —Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025

One way to assess possible malignancy is irregularity of a growth, speed of growth, localized lymph node metastasis as evidenced by enlargement of the nodes, and more but there is no substitute for an FNA or removal and biopsy. —Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025

There was a vibration and luminosity somewhere out there to Matisse; to Picasso there was a latent malignancy. —Christopher C. Gorham september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

malignancy

noun

ma·​lig·​nan·​cy mə-ˈlig-nən-sē 

plural malignancies

1

: the quality or state of being malignant

2

: a malignant tumor

Medical Definition

malignancy

noun

ma·​lig·​nan·​cy mə-ˈlig-nən-sē 

plural malignancies

1

: the quality or state of being malignant

2

a

: exhibition (as by a tumor) of malignant qualities : virulence

b

: a malignant tumor