Malignant describes something very dangerous or harmful, especially a tumor that can spread and become life-threatening. It can also describe a person or force that is deeply evil or destructive.
From Latin 'malignans' meaning 'acting badly' or 'evil in nature', from 'malus' (bad) and a root related to 'genus' (born). It originally described bad or evil will before taking on a specialized medical meaning.
Try Another Word