malignant

/məˈlɪɡnənt/ (bre, ipa) · /məˈlɪɡnənt/ (ame, ipa) · /mə-ˈlig-nənt/ (ame, mw) · /məˈlɪɡ.nənt/ (bre, ipa) · /məˈlɪɡ.nənt/ (ame, ipa)

malignant — 形容詞

  • malignantpositive
  • more malignantcomparative
  • most malignantsuperlative

1. A malignant tumour or disease is caused by cancer cells that grow without contro

1.形容詞B2
釋義

惡性的

癌細胞會擴散且有致命危險的

A malignant tumour or disease is caused by cancer cells that grow without control and can spread to other parts of the body, often leading to serious health problems or death.

例句

The biopsy showed that the lump on Christopher's neck was malignant and required immediate surgery.

切片檢查結果顯示，Christopher 脖子上的腫塊是惡性的，需要立即動手術。

contrast with benign: malignant results trigger urgent treatment

Doctors removed a malignant tumour from Sayaka's lung before it could spread to nearby organs.

醫生在 Sayaka 的肺部切除了一顆惡性腫瘤，阻止它擴散到鄰近器官。

malignant + tumour = core medical collocation

同義詞
  • cancerous

    more specific — directly naming the disease rather than describing its quality

  • terminal

    stronger — implies that death is certain and imminent, not merely likely

  • invasive

    focuses specifically on the ability to spread into surrounding tissues

反義詞
  • benign

    direct opposite — a growth that is not cancerous and does not spread

文法句型

malignant + noun (tumour, growth, disease, cell)

be/become + malignant

用法筆記

This is the most common and primary meaning of 'malignant'. It is the direct opposite of 'benign'. The word appears most frequently in medical reports, diagnoses, and health contexts. When used without a noun, it almost always refers to a tumour or growth (e.g. 'The lump was malignant').

常見錯誤

❌The doctor said the tumour was malignant cancer.
✅The doctor said the tumour was malignant.
💡'Malignant' already implies cancer; saying 'malignant cancer' is redundant.
❌She has a malignant fever.
✅She has a serious fever caused by an infection.
💡'Malignant' is not used for general illnesses; it is reserved for cancerous growths.

2. Used to describe a person's character, actions, or influence that show a deep an

2.形容詞B2
釋義

惡毒的

心懷強烈惡意、蓄意傷害他人的

Used to describe a person's character, actions, or influence that show a deep and active desire to cause harm, suffering, or destruction to others, rather than labelling the person themself.

例句

Emre's malignant gossip destroyed the trust that had held the office team together for years.

Emre 那惡毒的謠言摧毀了辦公室團隊多年來建立的信任。

malignant + gossip = figurative use describing spiteful speech

President Defne's malignant policies forced thousands of farming families to leave their homes and flee across the border.

Defne 總統的惡毒政策迫使數千個農家離開家園，越過邊界逃亡。

malignant + policies = figurative use describing state-sponsored harm

同義詞
  • malevolent

    nearly identical in meaning; slightly more literary and focused on wishing evil

  • malicious

    more common in everyday language; implies spite and the intention to hurt feelings or reputation

  • sinister

    describes something that seems threatening or evil, but may not actively cause harm

  • vicious

    emphasises violent or cruel behaviour rather than hidden intent

反義詞
  • benevolent

    direct opposite — wishing to do good and help others

  • kind-hearted

    less formal opposite — naturally caring and generous

文法句型

malignant + noun (influence, intent, pleasure, spirit, force)

be/become/seem + malignant

用法筆記

This sense is formal and often appears in literary, political, or rhetorical contexts. For everyday situations describing minor ill will, 'malicious' or 'spiteful' are more common and natural. The medical sense (CANCEROUS GROWTH) is far more frequent in general use.

常見錯誤

❌He gave me a malignant look when I took the last biscuit.
✅He gave me a nasty look when I took the last biscuit.
💡'Malignant' is far too strong for everyday annoyance; reserve it for deep, serious evil.

malignant — 名詞