malignity
/mə'ligniti/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The quality or state of being malignant; intense ill will or desire to harm others: "Malignity" refers to a deep-seated, often vicious, malevolence or hatred.
- An instance of malignant behavior or feeling; a malignant act or trait: It can also refer to a specific expression or example of such evil disposition.
- (Medicine, archaic) The condition of being malignant, as of a tumor: In older medical contexts, it denoted the dangerous or life-threatening nature of a disease.
Usage and Examples
- Noun:
- The dictator's actions were fueled by pure malignity toward his political opponents.
- Her smile hid a deep-seated malignity that shocked everyone when it was revealed.
- The critic's review was noted more for its personal malignity than for its artistic judgment.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "with malignity": Acting with or characterized by intense ill will.
- He pursued his rivals with a chilling malignity.
- The term often implies a persistent, deep-rooted, and active quality of evil, stronger than simple anger or dislike. It suggests a poisonous character.
Variants and Related Words
- Malign (verb): To speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner.
- He was accused of maligning his former colleague.
- Malign (adjective): Evil in nature or effect; malevolent.
- The story explores the malign influence of greed.
- Malignant (adjective):
- (Medicine) (of a disease) very virulent or infectious; (of a tumor) cancerous and likely to spread.
- Having or showing a desire to cause harm; malevolent.
- Malignancy (noun):
- (Medicine) The state or presence of a malignant tumor; cancer.
- The quality of being malign; malevolence.
Synonyms
- Malevolence: The state or condition of being malevolent; having or showing a wish to do evil to others.
- Spite: A desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone.
- Malice: The intention or desire to do evil; ill will.
- Viciousness: Deliberate cruelty or violence.
- Hatred: Intense dislike or ill will.
Antonyms
- Benevolence: The quality of being well-meaning; kindness.
- Goodwill: Friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude.
- Benignity: The quality of being kind, gentle, or harmless.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Full of malignity: Pervaded by or exhibiting intense ill will.
- The anonymous letter was full of malignity.
- While not a phrasal verb, the related verb "to malign" is commonly used to describe the act of defaming someone with malicious intent.
Noun
- quality of being disposed to evil; intense ill will
- wishing evil to others