What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
malignant
Example
The doctor diagnosed the tumor as malignant. [malignant: adjective]
Example
He had a malignant personality and enjoyed causing harm to others. [malignant: adjective]
Example
The malignant storm caused widespread damage and destruction. [malignant: adjective]
malevolent
Example
The malevolent witch cast a spell on the village. [malevolent: adjective]
Example
He had a malevolent plan to ruin his rival's reputation. [malevolent: adjective]
Example
The malevolent glare in his eyes made her feel uneasy. [malevolent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Malignant is less common than malevolent in everyday language, as it is more specialized and often used in medical contexts. Malevolent is more versatile and can be employed in various contexts, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between malignant and malevolent?
Both malignant and malevolent are considered formal words and may not be commonly used in casual conversation. However, malignant is more specialized and may be more formal due to its association with medical terminology.
