Malignant — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /mə-ˈlig-nənt/ ma·lig·nant

Meaning & Definition of Malignant

Malignant (adjective)

  1. tending to produce death or deterioration; especially, tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and terminate fatally
  2. evil in nature, influence, or effect, injurious
  3. passionately and relentlessly malevolent, aggressively malicious

Malignant (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: bad (slang), bitchy, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, mean, nasty, spiteful, vicious, virulent
    related: devious, scoundrelly, scurvy, snakelike, acrimonious, bitter, envious, jaundiced, jealous, rancorous, resentful, vindictive, vitriolic, contemptuous, deprecating, derogatory, disdainful, disparaging, mean-spirited, obnoxious, opprobrious, scornful, snide, snotty, unkind, unkindly, unloving, baleful, baneful, evil, harsh, hostile, inimical, acrid, caustic, poisonous, scathing, venomous
    opposite: benevolent, benign, benignant, loving, unmalicious
    near: compassionate, good, good-hearted, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, warm, warmhearted, affable, agreeable, amiable, cordial, friendly, genial, gracious, nice, pleasant, affectionate, amorous, sweet, tender, tenderhearted, humane, altruistic, high-minded, humanitarian, magnanimous, noble, philanthropic

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Malignant

The most common words with a similar meaning to Malignant:

Slang: bad
bitchy, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, mean, nasty, spiteful, vicious, virulent

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Malignant

Words with the opposite meaning of Malignant:

benevolent, benign, benignant, loving, unmalicious

Related Words for Malignant

devious, scoundrelly, scurvy, snakelike, acrimonious, bitter, envious, jaundiced, jealous, rancorous, resentful, vindictive, vitriolic, contemptuous, deprecating, derogatory, disdainful, disparaging, mean-spirited, obnoxious, opprobrious, scornful, snide, snotty, unkind, unkindly, unloving, baleful, baneful, evil

Near Antonyms of Malignant

compassionate, good, good-hearted, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, warm, warmhearted, affable, agreeable, amiable, cordial, friendly, genial, gracious, nice, pleasant, affectionate, amorous, sweet, tender, tenderhearted, humane, altruistic, high-minded, humanitarian, magnanimous, noble, philanthropic

Word Forms of Malignant

Derived words: malignantly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Malignant

Late Latin malignant-, malignans, present participle of malignari

First known use: 1542

Words & Phrases Containing Malignant

malignant melanoma

Frequently Asked Questions about Malignant

What does "Malignant" mean?

"Malignant" means tending to produce death or deterioration; especially, tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and terminate fatally. As an adjective, it is defined as: tending to produce death or deterioration; especially, tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and terminate fatally.

What is another word for "Malignant"?

Other words for "Malignant" include bad, bitchy, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent and malicious. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Malignant" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Malignant"?

There are 52 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Malignant". Common alternatives include bad, bitchy, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign and mean.

What is the opposite of "Malignant"?

Antonyms of "Malignant" include benevolent, benign, benignant, loving and unmalicious. Near antonyms include compassionate, good, good-hearted and kind.

How do you use "Malignant" in a sentence?

Examples of "Malignant" in a sentence: "a malignant wish to lash out at everyone who was smarter, richer, or better-looking than he was".

Is "Malignant" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Malignant" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Malignant"?

"Malignant" is pronounced /mə-ˈlig-nənt/ and divided into syllables as ma·lig·nant.

What is the origin of the word "Malignant"?

"Malignant" comes from Late Latin malignant-, malignans, present participle of malignari. First known use: 1542.