malignant
adjective
ma·lig·nant
mə-ˈlig-nənt 
1
: tending to produce death or deterioration
malignant malaria
2
a
: evil in nature, influence, or effect : injurious
a powerful and malignant influence
b
: passionately and relentlessly malevolent : aggressively malicious
the malignant tongues of gossipers
c
obsolete
: malcontent, disaffected
malignantly
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of malignant in a Sentence
a highly malignant form of cancer
a powerful and malignant influence
Recent Examples on the Web
Glioblastoma is an aggressive cancer that is the most common of all malignant brain tumors.
—
Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
Those who are diagnosed with the malignant tumor have a median survival rate of about 14 to 14.5 months.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for malignant 
Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
Those who are diagnosed with the malignant tumor have a median survival rate of about 14 to 14.5 months.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for malignant
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'malignant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near malignant
Cite this Entry
“Malignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malignant. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
malignant
adjective
ma·lig·nant
mə-ˈlig-nənt
1
: evil in influence or effect : injurious
3
: tending to produce death
malignant tumors
malignantly
adverb
Medical Definition
malignant
adjective
ma·lig·nant
mə-ˈlig-nənt
1
: tending to produce death or deterioration
malignant malaria
especially
: tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and terminate fatally
malignant tumors
compare benign sense 1
2
: of unfavorable prognosis : not responding favorably to treatment
psychotic reactions with a malignant trend
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