malignant

adjective

ma·lig·nant | \ mə-ˈlig-nənt

Definition of malignant

b : evil in nature, influence, or effect : injurious a powerful and malignant influence

c : passionately and relentlessly malevolent : aggressively malicious the malignant tongues of gossipers

2 : tending to produce death or deterioration malignant malaria especially : tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and terminate fatally a malignant tumor

Other Words from malignant Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about malignant

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Examples of malignant in a Sentence

a highly malignant form of cancer a powerful and malignant influence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lymphoma is always malignant, meaning cancerous, Henry Fung, M.D., vice chair of the Department of Hematology/Oncology, and director of the Fox Chase–Temple University Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program, tells SELF. — Korin Miller, SELF, "'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Star Cynthia Bailey's 'Bug Bite' Turned Out to Be a Lipoma Tumor," 6 Apr. 2018 Researchers also removed immune cells from the malignant mass - tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, or TILs - and found some that targeted four of those defects. — Laurie Mcginley, ajc, "Researchers use immune-cell 'army' to battle another tough cancer," 4 June 2018 Rollie’s radical mastectomy at age 37 included removal of her mostly malignant lymph nodes and the beginning of almost three years of struggle. — Ruth O. Selig, Washington Post, "Years ago when my twin got breast cancer I took drastic action and am grateful I did," 28 May 2018 They are meant for a network of strangers and are built to be suspicious of malignant forces. — Quinn Norton, The Atlantic, "Email Is Dangerous," 21 May 2018 Taggart also has a non-malignant tumor at the base of his skull that has caused nerve damage and affects swallowing and other functions. — Lori Nickel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Patient takes the fight to cancer with Scenic Shore team raising hundreds of thousands of dollars," 10 July 2018 These can be especially aggressive malignant tumors. — Dr. Patty Khuly, miamiherald, "Most lumps are nothing serious, but don't take a chance. Call the vet.," 5 July 2018 Glioblastoma, a difficult-to-treat disease that is the most common of all malignant brain tumors, can cause seizures, headaches, blurred vision, and confusion. — Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, "Polio virus treatment increased survival in patients with deadly brain tumors, study shows," 26 June 2018 Glioblastoma, a difficult-to-treat disease that is the most common of all malignant brain tumors, can cause seizures, headaches, blurred vision and confusion. — Laurie Mcginley, Washington Post, "Polio virus treatment increased survival in patients with deadly brain tumors, study shows," 26 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'malignant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near malignant

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Last Updated

28 Aug 2018

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Time Traveler for malignant

The first known use of malignant was in 1542

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More Definitions for malignant

malignant

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of malignant

medical : very serious and dangerous : tending or likely to grow and spread in a rapid and uncontrolled way that can cause death

: very evil

See the full definition for malignant in the English Language Learners Dictionary

malignant

adjective

ma·lig·nant | \ mə-ˈlig-nənt

Kids Definition of malignant

1 : malicious

2 : likely to cause death : deadly

malignant

adjective

ma·lig·nant | \ mə-ˈlig-nənt

Medical Definition of malignant

1 : tending to produce death or deterioration malignant malaria especially : tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and terminate fatally malignant tumors — compare benign sense 1