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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of malignant
Gliomas are often malignant, occasionally slow-growing brain cancers with significant rates of morbidity and mortality.
—
New Atlas, 11 Mar. 2025
How Sheridan creates these worlds complements the theme of one brave man — occasionally, a woman — taking on the malignant forces hell-bent on destroying this country.
—Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025
Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, is no longer responding to treatment for an aggressive and malignant brain tumor known as glioblastoma, with which she was diagnosed in 2022.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Eyelid tumors in cats are not very common and almost always malignant.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malignant
New Atlas, 11 Mar. 2025
How Sheridan creates these worlds complements the theme of one brave man — occasionally, a woman — taking on the malignant forces hell-bent on destroying this country.
—Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025
Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, is no longer responding to treatment for an aggressive and malignant brain tumor known as glioblastoma, with which she was diagnosed in 2022.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Eyelid tumors in cats are not very common and almost always malignant.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malignant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malignant
Adjective
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The ransomware attacks in question started with malicious Google Ads deployed by the threat actors.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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Tyler Chase Butler, 27, was arrested at the scene and was charged on May 6 with second-degree murder, malicious wounding and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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But even when locked in a tense, deadly standoff with the vicious Barbie, Moulin doesn’t break, and his courage and silence helps lead to the liberation of France, while leaving behind a new spirit of strength and resistance.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
10 May 2025
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Bone Tomahawk Year: 2015 Runtime: 2h 11m Director: S. Craig Zahler S. Craig Zahler has become one of the most divisive filmmakers working today after three vicious, brutal movies — Bone Tomahawk, Brawl in Cell Block 99, and Dragged Across Concrete.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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This dynamic has created a cruel catch-22 which forces an impossible choice: register and risk immediate deportation, or refuse and become criminalized for noncompliance, destroying any path to legal status.—
Kica Matos,
Time,
2 May 2025
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Milano’s extensive medical history sometimes feels too cruel to detail; his only full season came as a rookie in 2017.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Coupled with his hateful rhetoric, threats, lies, erratic policies, trampling of the Constitution and abnormal fascination with childish superlatives, tyrannical figures and Soviet-era style military parades, there’s much to be concerned about.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2025
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Despite the hateful rhetoric from left-wing Democrats fighting Trump’s efforts, Trump and his dream team won’t back down.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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The apps have a nasty trick that fools users into the initial download, and once on a phone, the damage is done.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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He’s been the spirit of the Panthers’ skillfully nasty style the previous two springs.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malignant. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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