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
Those who are diagnosed with the malignant tumor have a median survival rate of about 14 to 14.5 months.
—
Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 23 July 2025
Oates presents the idea of malignant artistic inspiration.
—Heather Scott Partington, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
Although relatively quiet in the four episodes available for review, his malignant influence will surely further pervade.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 10 June 2025
Nevertheless, the malignant misinformation on social media has made its way into state legislatures.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for malignant
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Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 23 July 2025
Oates presents the idea of malignant artistic inspiration.
—Heather Scott Partington, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
Although relatively quiet in the four episodes available for review, his malignant influence will surely further pervade.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 10 June 2025
Nevertheless, the malignant misinformation on social media has made its way into state legislatures.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 10 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 3 Aug. 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
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