Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality of being malevolent or having intense ill will: "malignancy" refers to a disposition toward evil, harm, or extreme hostility.
   • A malignant state in medicine: In a medical context, "malignancy" specifically denotes the condition of being malignant, characterized by uncontrolled growth, resistance to treatment, and a tendency to spread and cause death.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Quality of ill will):

  • The malignancy in his tone was unmistakable. (The intense ill will in his tone was clear.)
  • Her actions were driven by pure malignancy. (Her actions were motivated by sheer malevolence.)

• Noun (Medical condition):

  • The biopsy confirmed the malignancy. (The biopsy confirmed the presence of cancerous tissue.)
  • Early detection of a malignancy can improve treatment outcomes. (Identifying a cancerous state early can lead to better results from treatment.)

Advanced Usage

• "to harbor malignancy": to hold or possess intense ill will.

  • He seemed to harbor a deep malignancy toward his rivals. (He appeared to hold a profound ill will toward his competitors.)

• "the malignancy of the disease": the aggressive, life-threatening nature of an illness.

  • The doctors were concerned about the rapid progression and malignancy of the disease. (The doctors were worried about the fast spread and dangerous nature of the illness.)

Variants and Related Words

• Malignant (adj): having or showing a desire to cause harm; in medicine, describing a tumor that is cancerous and invasive.

  • A malignant tumor. (A cancerous growth.)
  • Malignant intentions. (Harmful intentions.)

• Malign (verb): to speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner.

  • He was accused of trying to malign his opponent's character. (He was accused of attempting to harm his opponent's reputation through criticism.)

Synonyms

• Malevolence: the state or condition of having or showing a wish to do evil to others.
• Virulence: extreme bitterness or hostility; in medicine, the severity or harmfulness of a disease.
• Carcinoma/Neoplasm (Medical): specific types of malignant growths (used in technical medical contexts).

Related Phrases

• "full of malignancy": completely filled with ill will.

  • His critique was full of malignancy, not constructive feedback. (His criticism was brimming with hostility.)

• "diagnosis of malignancy": the identification of a cancerous condition.

  • She received the diagnosis of malignancy with courage. (She faced the news of having cancer bravely.)

Related Idioms

• "A cancer of malice": This idiom, while not using "malignancy" directly, conveys a similar idea of a spreading, harmful ill will, analogous to the medical concept.
  • The rumor was a cancer of malice that spread through the community. (The rumor was a spreading, harmful ill will.)

Noun

1. quality of being disposed to evil; intense ill will
2. (medicine) a malignant state; progressive and resistant to treatment and tending to cause death