Synonyms of malignant

malignant

adjective

mə-ˈlig-nənt 

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

• malicious
• vicious
• cruel
• hateful
• nasty
• malevolent
• malign
• virulent
• bad
• spiteful
• despiteful
• venomous
• poisonous
• bitchy
• bitter
• evil
• jealous
• catty
• mean
• harsh
• obnoxious
• hostile
• vindictive
• scurvy
• snakelike
• devious
• resentful
• baneful
• envious
• vitriolic
• unkind
• jaundiced
• rancorous
• acrimonious
• opprobrious
• contemptuous
• baleful
• derogatory
• snotty
• inimical
• scornful
• scoundrelly
• deprecating
• caustic
• disdainful
• unkindly
• disparaging
• unloving
• snide
• mean-spirited
• acrid
• scathing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• benign
• benevolent
• loving
• sympathetic
• good
• warm
• kind
• compassionate
• benignant
• kindly
• friendly
• pleasant
• amiable
• agreeable
• genial
• gracious
• cordial
• sweet
• nice
• affable
• unmalicious
• affectionate
• amorous
• kindhearted
• good-hearted
• warmhearted
• tender
• humane
• noble
• altruistic
• humanitarian
• philanthropic
• magnanimous
• tenderhearted
• high-minded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of malignant

Per the Mayo Clinic, glioblastomas are the most serious type of glioma brain tumor and are the most common malignant brain tumor in adults. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

Asymptomatic lesions discovered incidentally in populations could also be monitored en masse to generate a robust database that would help researchers learn which types of lesions are more (or less) likely to turn malignant. — Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Cannon, who has 12 children, announced on a December 2021 episode of his talk show that Zen, his seventh child, had died of brain cancer, just three months after doctors discovered a malignant tumor and fluid building in his head. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026

Mancini then missed the 2020 season after surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his colon. — Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026