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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Recent Examples of malignant
The researchers found that this therapy prolonged survival in patients with glioblastoma, the most common and malignant primary brain tumor.
—
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Each character has been leveled by life in some way, resembling the Wayne Thiebaud model on the book’s cover — flattened by misogyny or malignant passive aggression or betrayal.
—New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The dogs learn how to identify the cancer by smelling three boxes, with one containing a sample of malignant blood.
—Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
And interferon-gamma is used against chronic granulomatous disease and a bone disease known as severe malignant osteopetrosis.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malignant
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Each character has been leveled by life in some way, resembling the Wayne Thiebaud model on the book’s cover — flattened by misogyny or malignant passive aggression or betrayal.
—New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The dogs learn how to identify the cancer by smelling three boxes, with one containing a sample of malignant blood.
—Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
And interferon-gamma is used against chronic granulomatous disease and a bone disease known as severe malignant osteopetrosis.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malignant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malignant
Adjective
-
The malicious actor hacked into Weiss’s contact’s Telegram, arranged a video call with him, and attempted to run a script on his computer to get his passwords.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
There’s nothing malicious or negative about [their split].—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Surrounded by vicious and violent hitmen that have been pressed into service as childcare, Juan Pablo must reckon with his father's crumbling power and find his own way in the world after his death.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
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This vicious cycle increases until the energy is released essentially in an explosion.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some countries have laws administering what critics believe are cruel punishments or place undue restrictions on women and minorities.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
-
While Tony coddles his own bruised ego, there is clearly a greater reason for the cruel hijinks, which comes in the form of some significant cash.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For generations, students have learned about complex historical figures who, despite their positive contributions to society, were inarguably problematic, hateful or bigoted while alive.—
Kristy Hutchings,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Why would the Sun Sentinel print opinions clearly based on nothing but hateful personal feelings?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In the especially nasty autumn of 1954, women in June Cleaver dresses and gas masks protested outside the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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The show excels at casting a spell through odd details, nasty red herrings, disturbing clues.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malignant. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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