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
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Recent Examples of malignant
According to his official death certificate obtained by PEOPLE, The Middle alum’s death was a result of malignant neoplasm of the bladder, better known as bladder cancer.
—
Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Trump’s malignant narcissism may be the most powerful tool the Democrats have in their quest to win the White House in 2028.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025
Approximately 72 percent of all brain tumors are benign and 28 percent are malignant.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
One 2021 systematic review found that among postmenopausal women whose endometriosis did become malignant, about 75% had used estrogen-only MHT.
—Tabitha Britt, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malignant
Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Trump’s malignant narcissism may be the most powerful tool the Democrats have in their quest to win the White House in 2028.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025
Approximately 72 percent of all brain tumors are benign and 28 percent are malignant.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
One 2021 systematic review found that among postmenopausal women whose endometriosis did become malignant, about 75% had used estrogen-only MHT.
—Tabitha Britt, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malignant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malignant
Adjective
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The Russian general was one of several GRU officials sanctioned by the United States in 2016 for wide-ranging malicious cyber activity directed at undermining US democratic processes.—
Anna Chernova,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Catherine’s brother Hindley, a vicious bully whose abuse is part of what drives Cathy and Heathcliff so closely together, is cut entirely, his role combined with Catherine’s father.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
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Everyone is fair game for her vicious tongue.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Decades later, in a cruel twist of fate, the Guthrie family is no longer pantomiming a kidnapping.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Rojas was never treated by a physician while at El Helicoide, where human rights groups have denounced cases of cruel, inhuman treatment and torture.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This is not the first time that Peacock has taken to social media to ask viewers to refrain from sending hateful messages.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Jan. 2026
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Since 2004, Orange County also has been predominantly nonwhite, but some conservative families, such as Woodward’s, bond over a hateful ideology.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The mother of three was first spotted with the hunky Larocca, in October 2024, about six months after the nasty breakup with Hall.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
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Talarico remarked that the nasty interloper would provide good color for my story, and then recalled the time that former Governor Rick Perry had encountered a coyote while running outside Austin—and shot it dead.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malignant. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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