Discover a variety of words starting with “mal” that often denote something negative, improper, or bad, and understand their meanings and uses.
- Maladjustment- Poor or inadequate adjustment, especially in relation to social situations.
- Maladroit- Lacking skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situations.
- Malaria- A disease caused by a parasite, transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
- Malaise- A general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness.
- Malapropism- The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect.
- Malarkey- Meaningless talk; nonsense.
- Malcontent- A person who is dissatisfied and rebellious.
- Malefactor- A person who commits a crime or some other wrong.
- Maleficent- Doing evil or harm; harmfully malicious.
- Malevolent- Having or showing a wish to do evil to others.
- Malfeasance- Wrongdoing, especially by a public official.
- Malformation- Incorrectly formed part of the body.
- Malign- To speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner.
- Malignant- Very virulent or infectious (particularly in the context of disease).
- Malinger- To exaggerate illness in order to escape duty or work.
- Malleable- Capable of being shaped, influenced, or altered; tractable.
- Malnourished- Having bad health or having poor nutrition.
- Malnutrition- Lack of proper nutrition caused by not having enough to eat, a poor diet, or an inability to absorb the nutrients one consumes.
- Malodorous- Smelling very unpleasant.
- Malpractice- Improper, illegal, or negligent professional behavior.
- Malversation- Corruption among public officials.
- Malware- Software designed to interfere with a computer’s normal functioning.
- Maladjusted- Badly or inadequately adjusted to the demands or stresses of daily life.
- Malapert- Boldly disrespectful to a person in authority.
- Malediction- A curse.
- Malefic- Causing harm or destruction, especially by supernatural means.
- Malevolence- The state or condition of having a wish to do evil.
- Malfeasor- A wrongdoer or lawbreaker.
- Malignancy- The presence of malignant cells indicative of cancer.
- Maligner- Someone who speaks maliciously of others.
- Malingerer- Someone who malingers.
- Malleability- The quality of being easily shaped or molded.
- Maltreat- Treat someone cruelly or with violence.
- Maltreatment- Cruel or violent treatment, typically involving physical harm.
- Malversation- Corrupt behavior in a position of trust, especially in public office.
- Malvoisie- A type of wine, generally sweet and from the Mediterranean, known in English as Malmsey.
- Malacology- The branch of zoology that deals with mollusks.
- Malacoplakia- A rare inflammatory condition that typically affects the urinary tract.
- Malamute- A breed of large, strong dog from Alaska, used for pulling sleds.
- Malathion- A chemical used as an insecticide, particularly for controlling aphids.
- Malaxate- To soften by kneading or massaging.
- Malaxation- The process of softening or blending substances.
- Maldistribution- Uneven or unfair distribution, especially of resources.
- Maleate- A salt or ester of maleic acid.
- Malefaction- An evil deed; crime; wrongdoing.
- Malignment- The state of being maligned.
- Malingerance- The behavior of feigning illness to escape duty.
- Malodor- A bad odor.
- Malposed- Incorrectly or unfavorably positioned.
- Malposition- Wrong or abnormal position or placement.