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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of malignant
Their media empire may be a malignant blight on the world, but their vulnerabilities gave the show depth and tonal variety.
—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
17 May 2026
The therapist conceals her own malignant vices behind smiles and warmth, and the two share secrets that neither is prepared for.
—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Doctors there found heart arrhythmia and a lung tumor his family feared was malignant.
—
ABC News,
8 May 2026
While most are harmless, some have the potential to become malignant over time.
—
Holly Burns,
Time,
6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for malignant
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
17 May 2026
The therapist conceals her own malignant vices behind smiles and warmth, and the two share secrets that neither is prepared for.
—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Doctors there found heart arrhythmia and a lung tumor his family feared was malignant.
—
ABC News,
8 May 2026
While most are harmless, some have the potential to become malignant over time.
—
Holly Burns,
Time,
6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for malignant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malignant
Adjective
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He was charged with arson, malicious destruction by means of a fire and timber set aflame.
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Johnson said the bill was meant to curtail malicious records requests, which do happen, where a citizen goes after copious amounts of records just to be a jerk and cost the government time and money.
Adjective
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That’s still high, but moves downward mean less chance of a vicious cycle where expectations for higher inflation drive changes in behavior that create higher inflation.
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That’s still high, but moves downward mean less chance of a vicious cycle where expectations for higher inflation drive changes in behavior that create higher inflation.
Adjective
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Swift moved on from one Brit to the next, quietly dating actor Joe Alwyn from 2017 to 2023, while the world spent back-to-back cruel summers without Taymerica.
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This is particularly gratifying given the absurd and cruel trolling the young actress received from the toxic corners of internet fandom leading up to the film’s release.
Adjective
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Conservatives are often accused of being divisive, hateful and exclusionary.
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On Sunday, June 14, UFC fighter Josh Hokit took the opportunity after his win on the White House lawn to repeat a hateful lie about the former first lady.
Adjective
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We’re used to nasty, hateful, and sometimes violent things being said about us and even about our family.
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Tarik Skubal was nasty against the Yankees.
Cite this Entry
“Malignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malignant. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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