malignant

adjective
ma·​lig·​nant | \ mə-ˈlig-nənt How to pronounce malignant (audio) \

Definition of malignant

1 : tending to produce death or deterioration malignant malaria especially : tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and terminate fatally a malignant tumor
2a : 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

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Other Words from malignant

malignantly adverb

Examples of malignant in a Sentence

a highly malignant form of cancer a powerful and malignant influence

Recent Examples on the Web

That the legend has little to do with the real Spartans would be an academic point, but this myth has now turned malignant, with laconophilia taking on darker and ever more dangerous tones. Myke Cole, The New Republic, "The Sparta Fetish Is a Cultural Cancer," 1 Aug. 2019 Sandy Hook Elementary School was razed and rebuilt but conspiracy mongers, cretins, and potential copycats continue to feed their malignant imaginations. Krista Kafer, The Denver Post, "Kafer: Don’t raze Columbine High School; hold trespassers accountable," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'malignant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of malignant

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

History and Etymology for malignant

Late Latin malignant-, malignans, present participle of malignari

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More Definitions for malignant

malignant

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of malignant

medical : very serious and dangerous : tending or likely to grow and spread in a rapid and uncontrolled way that can cause death
formal : very evil

malignant

adjective
ma·​lig·​nant | \ mə-ˈlig-nənt How to pronounce malignant (audio) \

Kids Definition of malignant

1 : malicious
2 : likely to cause death : deadly

Other Words from malignant

malignantly adverb

malignant

adjective
ma·​lig·​nant | \ mə-ˈlig-nənt How to pronounce malignant (audio) \

Medical Definition of malignant

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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