malignant
adjective
ma·lig·nant
mə-ˈlig-nənt 
1
: tending to produce death or deterioration
malignant malaria
2
a
: 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
malignantly
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of malignant in a Sentence
a highly malignant form of cancer
a powerful and malignant influence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nor for that matter is pathological liar, sociopath or malignant narcissist.
—
Richard Behar, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
These are traits typical of those people who qualify as malignant narcissists.
—Rafael Bernal, The Hill, 29 Oct. 2024
In October 2023, Isabella was hospitalized and underwent an emergency surgery to remove a large medulloblastoma — a type of malignant tumor — in her cerebellum.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024
Tanton wasn’t just a malignant force against immigration.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for malignant 
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.
Richard Behar, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
These are traits typical of those people who qualify as malignant narcissists.
—Rafael Bernal, The Hill, 29 Oct. 2024
In October 2023, Isabella was hospitalized and underwent an emergency surgery to remove a large medulloblastoma — a type of malignant tumor — in her cerebellum.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024
Tanton wasn’t just a malignant force against immigration.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for malignant
Dictionary Entries Near malignant
Cite this Entry
“Malignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malignant. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
malignant
adjective
ma·lig·nant
mə-ˈlig-nənt
1
: evil in influence or effect : injurious
3
: tending to produce death
malignant tumors
malignantly
adverb
Medical Definition
malignant
adjective
ma·lig·nant
mə-ˈlig-nənt
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share