malignant
adjective
ma·lig·nant
mə-ˈlig-nənt 
1
: tending to produce death or deterioration
malignant malaria
2
a
: evil in nature, influence, or effect : injurious
a powerful and malignant influence
b
: passionately and relentlessly malevolent : aggressively malicious
the malignant tongues of gossipers
c
obsolete
: malcontent, disaffected
malignantly
adverb
Examples of malignant in a Sentence
a highly malignant form of cancer
a powerful and malignant influence
Recent Examples on the Web
Shortly after his birth, doctors discovered fluid building up inside the baby boy's head in addition to a malignant tumor that required brain surgery.
—
Hannah Sacks, People.com, 23 June 2025
Nevertheless, case reports have described malignant tumors developing within tattoos, including melanomas.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
In this sense, madness is a bit like the radical-feminist conception of gender itself: a malignant force whose power is intimate yet strangely impersonal.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
In healthcare, for example, AI is being used in skin cancer detection, yet studies show that dermatologists are less likely to recommend biopsies for malignant skin cancers on patients with darker skin.
—Pauleanna Reid, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for malignant
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Hannah Sacks, People.com, 23 June 2025
Nevertheless, case reports have described malignant tumors developing within tattoos, including melanomas.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
In this sense, madness is a bit like the radical-feminist conception of gender itself: a malignant force whose power is intimate yet strangely impersonal.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
In healthcare, for example, AI is being used in skin cancer detection, yet studies show that dermatologists are less likely to recommend biopsies for malignant skin cancers on patients with darker skin.
—Pauleanna Reid, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for malignant
Cite this Entry
“Malignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malignant. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
malignant
adjective
ma·lig·nant
mə-ˈlig-nənt
1
: evil in influence or effect : injurious
3
: tending to produce death
malignant tumors
malignantly
adverb
Medical Definition
malignant
adjective
ma·lig·nant
mə-ˈlig-nənt
1
: tending to produce death or deterioration
malignant malaria
especially
: tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and terminate fatally
malignant tumors
compare benign sense 1
2
: of unfavorable prognosis : not responding favorably to treatment
psychotic reactions with a malignant trend
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share