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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of malignant
Those who are diagnosed with the malignant tumor have a median survival rate of about 14 to 14.5 months.
—
Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 23 July 2025
The fundraiser follows McIvor’s announcement earlier this month that he’d been diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive type of malignant brain tumor experienced by adults.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 15 July 2025
Their lives are upended when Sabri is diagnosed with a malignant tumour.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 June 2025
The withholding nature of Chernin’s Leo poses some theatrical risks but goes a long way toward explaining how the character’s otherness could be turned against him in such a malignant way.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for malignant
Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 23 July 2025
The fundraiser follows McIvor’s announcement earlier this month that he’d been diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive type of malignant brain tumor experienced by adults.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 15 July 2025
Their lives are upended when Sabri is diagnosed with a malignant tumour.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 June 2025
The withholding nature of Chernin’s Leo poses some theatrical risks but goes a long way toward explaining how the character’s otherness could be turned against him in such a malignant way.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for malignant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malignant
Adjective
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In addition, users will be able to permanently block a user from quote-sharing any of their posts, as a hedge against malicious dunks.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
13 Sep. 2025
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That means malicious software is getting smarter, faster and harder to detect.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As and when evidence against that narrative comes out, either via six monthly reports or from some other source, the crash in the stock price will be more vicious than otherwise.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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In these homes, the conflict between budgeting and feeding kids well creates huge psychological stress for parents, which can lead to anxiety and depression, fueling the vicious cycle of stress and unhealthy eating, Beresin said.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The cruel irony is that the very systems designed to promote inclusion can inadvertently reinforce exclusion.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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And of course, to serve as cruel juxtaposition, deGrom retired the Mets in order in the bottom of the inning on just six pitches.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Political analyst Matthew Dowd took to MSNBC to say that Kirk’s hateful words had led to hateful actions.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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In other words, Cartman is irate that Trump has stolen his hateful, vindictive shtick.—
Nick Marx,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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One said bump is a particularly nasty, literal wig-snatching fight between Vida and Chi-Chi.—
Jen Juneau,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
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In a nutshell, people are easily irritated and inclined to get caught up in nasty power struggles because they’re entrenched in their own views.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malignant. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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