malignant

adjective

mə-ˈlig-nənt How to pronounce malignant (audio)
Definition of malignantnext
as in malicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it a malignant wish to lash out at everyone who was smarter, richer, or better-looking than he was

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of malignant Busy Philipps underwent two invasive surgeries this spring related to a malignant tumor in her brain. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026 The tumor was an oligodendroglioma, a malignant tumor defined by two genetic alterations. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 Numerous renowned and highly respected psychiatrists have provided evidence that the president does show signs of dementia, in conjunction with unmistakable traits consistent with malignant narcissism and antisocial personality disorder. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026 The finding raises the possibility that some patients given this diagnosis may not have a malignant disease and may not need long-term cancer treatment. — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for malignant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malignant
  1. malicious
  2. vicious
  3. cruel
  4. hateful
  5. nasty
Adjective
  • After engaging with the box, the user sees a line of text, often obscured in a way to mask any malicious commands.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The rap star has a malicious prosecution case pending against the lawyer in federal court in New York.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of malicious
Adjective
  • These shortages increase costs and a vicious cycle for folks who need a rung.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Nobody comes off well; if anything, the snooty German Jews almost seem more vicious than the right-wing plotters, who are presented as mercenary and power-hungry rather than ideological.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of vicious
Adjective
  • Like her, Americans are also so tired of being screwed by an administration that’s not only grossly incompetent and cruel but corrupt as well.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than heroic, these costly and horribly uncertain stunts come across callous and cruel.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of cruel
Adjective
  • Mercury guard Kahleah Copper, Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams and Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud have also spoken about receiving hateful messages.
    — Mike Wilson, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Yiannopoulos’ acerbic and at times hateful speech attracted the fury of students who argued his views should not be platformed.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of hateful
Adjective
  • Those tempers were not helped by the nasty collision between Guehi and Veiga just before the break, as the Englishman clattered into the midfielder in attempt to head the ball away.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • His nasty spirit comes unstuck from the grave when Antonia, the brown-haired Millennial witch, works a wonky raise-the-dead spell directed at her late great aunt.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of nasty

Browse Nearby Words

malignancy
malignant
malignantly
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Cite this Entry

“Malignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malignant. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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