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
The early 2000s then saw the arrival of two new drugs for lymphoma, both of which were tagged with radioactive particles and aimed at CD20, a marker on malignant blood cells.
—
Discover Magazine, 8 July 2024
These cells may have the potential to become malignant (cancerous) but are not yet considered cancer.
—Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024
But this time the question never dissipates, haunting Miller’s slow-burn epic like a malignant, merciless spirit.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 May 2024
When this happens with a malignant tumor, it’s known as cancer recurrence.
—Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 29 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for malignant 
Discover Magazine, 8 July 2024
These cells may have the potential to become malignant (cancerous) but are not yet considered cancer.
—Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024
But this time the question never dissipates, haunting Miller’s slow-burn epic like a malignant, merciless spirit.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 May 2024
When this happens with a malignant tumor, it’s known as cancer recurrence.
—Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 29 July 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 12 Sep. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share