malignant

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/məˈlɪdʒənt/
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A cancerous growth that spreads aggressively.
Practice using malignant in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Because the cancer was malignant, aggressive treatment was required.
  • The malignant storm caused widespread power outages.
  • A malignant imagination can turn harmless jokes into cruel jokes.
  • The surgeon explained that a malignant mass may invade surrounding tissue.
  • Friends warned him about his malignant attitude toward newcomers.

Similar words

dangerous
nefarious
spiteful
metastatic
harmful
cancerous
lethal
malevolent
oncogenic
aggressive

Meanings

Cancerous

adjective
medical
neutral
Describing a disease or growth that is cancerous, can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

Examples

  • The biopsy confirmed the tumor was malignant.
  • Doctors warned that a malignant growth could spread to nearby organs.
  • Because the cancer was malignant, aggressive treatment was required.
  • A malignant lesion often shows rapid cell division under the microscope.
  • The surgeon explained that a malignant mass may invade surrounding tissue.
  • Even after surgery, the malignant cells can return if they have metastasized.

Similar words

cancerous
oncogenic
invasive
aggressive
metastatic
dangerous
harmful

Very harmful

adjective
everyday
neutral
Describing something that is extremely dangerous or likely to cause serious damage.

Examples

  • The malignant storm caused widespread power outages.
  • Investors were alarmed by the malignant decline in the market.
  • The malignant rumor spread quickly through the office.
  • His malignant behavior made everyone feel unsafe.
  • The fire was a malignant threat to the nearby houses.
  • She described the policy as malignant to the environment.

Similar words

dangerous
harmful
perilous
destructive
lethal
toxic
hazardous

Evil or malicious

adjective
social
informal
Used to describe a person or intention that is wicked or deliberately harmful.

Examples

  • He has a malignant sense of humor that often offends people.
  • The villain's malignant intentions drove the plot forward.
  • Her malignant remarks left a sour taste in everyone's mouth.
  • The gossip spread a malignant vibe throughout the group.
  • A malignant imagination can turn harmless jokes into cruel jokes.
  • Friends warned him about his malignant attitude toward newcomers.

Similar words

wicked
malevolent
malicious
spiteful
vicious
nefarious
evil

Etymology

From Late Latin malignus ‘wicked, evil’, itself formed from Latin malus ‘bad’ plus the participial suffix -gnus (from malignāre ‘to act maliciously’). First recorded in English in the 1530s.

FAQ

What does malignant mean in medicine?

In medicine, malignant describes a disease or growth that is cancerous, can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

What does malignant mean in everyday use?

In everyday language, malignant describes something that is extremely dangerous or likely to cause serious damage.

What does malignant mean when describing a person’s intent?

When referring to a person’s intent, malignant means wicked or deliberately harmful.

What is the comparative form of malignant?

The comparative form of malignant is more malignant.

What is the superlative form of malignant?

The superlative form of malignant is most malignant.

Where does the word malignant come from?

The word malignant comes from Late Latin malignus ‘wicked, evil’, built from Latin malus ‘bad’ plus the suffix -gnus; it entered English in the 1530s.

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