What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
malicious
Example
He made a malicious comment about her appearance. [malicious: adjective]
Example
The hacker launched a malicious attack on the company's website. [malicious: adjective]
malignant
Example
The doctor diagnosed him with a malignant tumor. [malignant: adjective]
Example
The dictator's malignant regime caused suffering for millions. [malignant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Malicious is more commonly used than malignant in everyday language, as it has a broader range of applications. Malignant is more commonly used in medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between malicious and malignant?
Both malicious and malignant are formal words that are not typically used in casual conversation. However, malignant may be considered more technical due to its frequent use in medical contexts.
