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 Mancini then missed the 2020 season after surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his colon. — Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026 Zombie cucumbers Back in 1951, doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore took a sample of a malignant cervical tumor from Henrietta Lacks, a 31-year-old mother of five. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for malignant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malignant
  1. malicious
  2. vicious
  3. cruel
  4. hateful
  5. nasty
Adjective
  • Anthropic has reported banning accounts and tightening filters after detecting attempts to use Claude for phishing emails, malicious code and safeguard bypasses.
    — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Rather than needing years of specialist knowledge, attackers can now use large language models to perform reconnaissance, identify weaknesses, write malicious code and map computer networks in ways that previously demanded significant expertise.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Definition of malicious
Adjective
  • The early Cold War liberals had read their history books and seen how the French Revolution had begun with high progressive hopes but descended into a vicious bloodbath.
    — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • After a similarly vicious storm struck the New York area late Friday, hundreds of thousands of utility customers were left without power, trains to New Jersey were canceled and thousands of trees were damaged or uprooted.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of vicious
Adjective
  • The heat has become so unbearable in Japan that weather officials in April announced a new term for days when maximum temperatures exceed 104 degrees — kokushobi, meaning harsh or cruel heat, according to the Japan Times.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the lack of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s cruelest consequences.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of cruel
Adjective
  • After about a month, when the social media and news backlash started to settle down, Johnson said the hateful comments stopped coming in.
    — Elijah Polance, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
  • White attributed most of the hateful comments to online agitators rather than true WNBA or Indiana Fever fans.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of hateful
Adjective
  • The prettiest man in football landed a nasty elbow to Ireland’s Dara O’ Shea and was justifiably handed a red card.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
  • One is the true story of a white, nasty gentleman who had more power than anybody in the United States for longer, and the other is a love story between two gay people at a time when that had to be way, way, way down low.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 7 July 2026
Definition of nasty

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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 13 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on malignant

Nglish: Translation of malignant for Spanish Speakers

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