What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
malintent
Example
The police suspected that the suspect had malintent when he entered the building. [malintent: noun]
Example
She had malintent towards her former friend and wanted to ruin her reputation. [malintent: adjective]
malignity
Example
The malignity of his actions was evident in the harm he caused to innocent people. [malignity: noun]
Example
The doctor was concerned about the malignity of the tumor and recommended immediate treatment. [malignity: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Malintent is less common than malignity in everyday language, as it is more specific to legal or criminal contexts. Malignity is more versatile and can be used in various contexts related to harm or destruction.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between malintent and malignity?
Both malintent and malignity are formal words that are typically used in serious or professional contexts, such as legal, medical, or academic settings.
