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malignly

malignly

9.5
In a mean and harmful way
  • adverb
  • /məˈlaɪnli/
translation icon : malignamente
  • The Pelagian God was malignly indifferent; the orthodox God was fatally interventionist.

Examples

  • Freud means to explain how the past is recovered in a malignly distorted form; a childhood memory becomes a trauma, which is not directly associated with that memory.

    Academic text (1995)
  • As Sola Sierras said, the country was a cemetery, and bodies disappeared ever more malignly.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Goodwin asserted that Hill's esteem for Calvin was misplaced, and malignly so, since Calvin was generously disposed and minded by universal.

    Academic text (2018)
  • He spoke of his rival malignly, wishing only for their downfall.

  • The villain in the story acted malignly, seeking revenge without remorse.

  • She malignly plotted against her colleague, hoping to take credit for his work.

Synonyms

maliciously
vsmalignly
10 7.1

In a way that wants to hurt someone or cause trouble

is broader, naming an evil or malicious manner rather than specific harm desire
menacingly
vsmalignly
6 6.3

In a way that seems likely to hurt or scare someone

is about evil or malice rather than signaling imminent danger
wickedly
vsmalignly
5 6.3

In an evil and cruel way that harms other people

is the general evil manner without stressing deliberate cruelty degree
evilly
vsmalignly
4 8.4

In a cruel way to hurt or frighten others

is the broader term for harmful or malicious behaviour
virulently
vsmalignly
3 8.7

In an angry and hurtful way

is about evil or malice rather than emotional bitterness specifically
diabolically
vsmalignly
3 8.4

In a very evil way

covers evil manner broadly without the extreme devilish colour
hatefully
vsmalignly
1 6.6

In a way that shows strong dislike and anger

is broader, covering evil manner beyond feelings of hatred
treacherously
vsmalignly
1 7.6

To break someone's trust by betraying them

is about evil or malice rather than focusing on betrayal or disloyalty
balefully
vsmalignly
  • Formal
1 8.2

With a look or voice that shows you want to harm someone

is broader, describing evil manner rather than specifically threatening signs
meanly
vsmalignly
1 7.0

In a cruel way that shows unkind feelings and hurts others

denotes a deeper malignant or evil manner rather than simple unkindness
malevolently
vsmalignly
  • Formal
1 8.6

In a way that shows a wish to hurt others

is more general, describing an evil manner not only the wishing attitude
satanically
vsmalignly
1 8.9

In a very evil way

is general malicious manner without religious or satanic connotations
malignantly
vsmalignly
1 9.3

In a harmful way that causes damage and spreads quickly

is maliciously in manner rather than medical or biological description
hostilely
vsmalignly
1 7.4

In an unfriendly way that shows anger or dislike

describes evil or malicious motive rather than general unfriendliness
poisonously
vsmalignly
1 7.3

To speak or act in a very hurtful and angry way

is general malign manner without the toxic metaphor
perniciously
vsmalignly
  • Formal
1 8.9

In a way that causes harm slowly without being noticed

is immediate evil manner rather than gradual or hidden damage
nefariously
vsmalignly
  • Formal
1 8.9

In a very dishonest or illegal way

is the broader evil manner, not limited to criminal wrongdoing
antagonistically
vsmalignly
1 8.1

In a way that shows anger and strong disagreement

is about evil intent rather than straightforward hostile resistance
vengefully
vsmalignly
1 6.8

In a way that shows a strong wish to punish someone for something they did

is general malicious manner rather than specifically driven by revenge
sinisterly
vsmalignly
7.5

In a way that seems evil or threatening

is general malicious manner rather than focusing on threatening signs
villainously
vsmalignly
7.4

In a cruel way that shows bad intentions

is more general evil behaviour without theatrical villainy
contumeliously
vsmalignly
  • Offensive
9.9

In a rude, insulting way that shows clear disrespect

is about evil or malice rather than primarily contempt or insult
meanspiritedly
vsmalignly
  • Offensive
8.5

In a mean way that tries to hurt someone

is stronger, indicating a truly evil or malicious manner rather than pettiness
revengefully
vsmalignly
6.9

Doing something to hurt someone who hurt you

is broader evil behaviour not limited to retaliation
predatorily
vsmalignly
8.0

In a way that uses others to get money or power

is malicious manner generally rather than specifically exploitative action
perfidiously
vsmalignly
  • Formal
9.9

In a dishonest way that betrays trust

is evil or malicious manner rather than primarily betrayal by deceit

Antonyms

179 1.0

In a gentle and caring way

How Maliciously

malignly
9.5
spitefully
2 7.0
unkindly
4 4.4

Surface Forms

malignly positive

Morphology

malignly = malign (transparent) = malign + ly

The adverb is a regular derivation from the adjective 'malign' with the productive suffix '-ly', so the meaning is directly predictable.

Etymology

Malignly comes from the root mal- meaning 'bad', the same root you see in malicious and malfunction; think of 'mal-' as a mark for harm. A helpful image is someone quietly saying nasty things to hurt another person—so to act malignly is to behave or speak in a hurtful, 'bad' way.