Synonyms for

Mal

Verb / mæl / Another word for mal — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Mal is a Latin prefix that means 'bad' or 'wrong'.

Synonyms & similar words

wrong bad evil incorrect faulty improper defective unfavorable harmful unpleasant unfortunate unsatisfactory unsuccessful unfavorable inappropriate unlucky unhealthy negative adverse injurious

Synonyms by register

Formal

ill bad detrimental harmful

Informal

lousy rotten bum no good

Literary

woe bane

Antonyms

good well beneficial positive advantageous favorable

Common collocations

  • mal de mer
  • mal de vivre
  • mal practice
  • mal administration
  • mal nutrition
  • mal formation

Word family

adjective bad
adverb badly

Usage note

The prefix 'mal-' often indicates something is bad or wrong. It is frequently used in medical and legal contexts, as well as in compound words to denote deficiency or abnormality.

Example sentences

  1. The malpractice of the doctor resulted in the death of the patient.
  2. The malcontent child was always unhappy.
  3. The malfunctioning machine caused a lot of problems in the factory.
  4. The malevolent witch cast a spell on the town.
  5. The malnourished child was very skinny.

Quotes

  • There is no good or evil: only mal and bien.
  • The mal of the world is made possible by nothing but the sanction you give it.
  • There is no greater mal than the absence of God.

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