Definition

1. 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

1. quality of being disposed to evil; intense ill will
2. wishing evil to others