mal-
Latinbad, ill
Prefix · means "bad, ill"
Roots often paired with mal-
Associated Words · 27
malaria
A mosquito-borne disease causing recurring fever and chills
malpractice
Negligent or unethical professional conduct causing harm
malignant
Harmful and dangerous; (of a tumour) life-threatening and uncontrolled
malnutrition
Poor health caused by lack of adequate or balanced nutrition
malfunction
To fail to work properly; a failure in normal operation
malaise
A vague feeling of physical or mental discomfort and unease
malady
A disease or persistent illness; a social or moral disorder
malevolent
Wishing or intending harm to others; deeply ill-willed
malignancy
A cancerous growth; the quality of being malignant
malign
To slander someone; evil or harmful in nature
malnourished
Suffering from lack of adequate nutrition
maltreatment
Cruel or abusive treatment
malfeasance
Misconduct or wrongdoing, especially by a public official
malcontent
A dissatisfied, rebellious person; feeling discontented
maladjustment
Inability to adapt properly to one's environment
malevolence
The desire to cause harm to others; deep ill will
malefactor
A criminal or evildoer
maltreat
To treat cruelly or roughly; to abuse
malapropism
Mistaken use of a word confused with a similar-sounding one
maladroit
Clumsy, lacking skill or tact
malediction
A curse calling down evil upon someone
maleficent
Causing harm or evil
maledictory
Relating to a curse or expression of ill will
malefaction
A crime or evil deed