malignant

adjective

ma·​lig·​nant mə-ˈlig-nənt How to pronounce malignant (audio)
1
: tending to produce death or deterioration
malignant malaria
especially : tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and terminate fatally
a malignant tumor
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 Machine-learning models are further refining the information gleaned from mammograms, and some are getting sophisticated enough to predict which currently normal scans show signs of potentially turning into malignant tissue in the future. TIME, 14 Mar. 2024 One of Michael Strahan’s youngest daughters is battling with a malignant brain tumor, and her father is right by her side in the fight. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 11 Jan. 2024 When lung cancer occurs in people who have never smoked, the malignant cells often carry a mutation in a gene known as EGFR. Siddhartha Mukherjee, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023 Following the visit, she was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare malignant tumor. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024 According to the Mayo Clinic, medulloblastoma is a malignant brain tumor that affects the cerebellum, which is involved in muscle coordination, balance and movement. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024 The 31-year-old Washington, D.C. singer was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare malignant tumor in 2021, and has endured a daunting battle since. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024 After surviving one of the rarest forms of cancer — a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, diagnosed in 2013 — the Alexandria resident was struck with an incredibly rare genetic disorder that causes leg spasms and stiffness. Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2024 Iran’s satellites and proxies are spreading like malignant cancer, trade disruption is peaking, and two civil wars have erupted, both won by anti-U.S. parties. Shay Khatiri, National Review, 8 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'malignant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin malignant-, malignans, present participle of malignari

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

Time Traveler
The first known use of malignant was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near malignant

Cite this Entry

“Malignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malignant. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

malignant

adjective
ma·​lig·​nant mə-ˈlig-nənt How to pronounce malignant (audio)
1
: evil in influence or effect : injurious
2
3
: tending to produce death
malignant tumors
malignantly adverb

Medical Definition

malignant

adjective
ma·​lig·​nant mə-ˈlig-nənt How to pronounce malignant (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on malignant

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