mal
Signifies something wrong
Mal is a prefix meaning bad, wrong, or ill, appearing in words like malfunction, malice, malpractice, and malnutrition.
In Spanish and French, mal works as a standalone word meaning bad or badly.
In English slang, mal sometimes appears alone to mean bad or unwell: I'm feeling a bit mal today.
Failure to operate properly
- maladaptiveHarmful to one's wellbeing
- maladjustedPoorly adapted socially
- malapropismSound-alike word confusion
- malodorousHaving a bad smell
malfeasance · breakdown · failure · defect · glitch · error · fault · impairment
Threateningly suggestive of harm
- nefariousExtremely evil or villainous
- villainousExtremely wicked or criminal
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
- fiendishExtremely cruel or wicked
heinous · vile · depraved · iniquitous · baleful · pernicious · demonic · satanic
Diffuse, sourceless discomfort
- malnutritionDisease from dietary inadequacy
- malformationAbnormally developed structure
- malpracticeHarmful professional negligence
- illnessState of poor health
ailment · sickness · infection · pathology · affliction · disorder · syndrome · symptoms
malfunction
Failure to operate properly
- maladaptiveHarmful to one's wellbeing
- maladjustedPoorly adapted socially
- malapropismSound-alike word confusion
malodorous · malfeasance · breakdown · failure · defect · glitch · error · fault · impairment · disruption
sinister
Threateningly suggestive of harm
- nefariousExtremely evil or villainous
- villainousExtremely wicked or criminal
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
fiendish · heinous · vile · depraved · iniquitous · baleful · pernicious · demonic · satanic · unholy
malaise
Diffuse, sourceless discomfort
- malnutritionDisease from dietary inadequacy
- malformationAbnormally developed structure
- malpracticeHarmful professional negligence
illness · ailment · sickness · infection · pathology · affliction · disorder · syndrome · symptoms · diagnosis
bad
Of inferior quality
abnormal · defective · improper · faulty · harmful · negative · adverse · inferior · deficient · flawed
malbien
French for well
well · skillfully · properly · competently · adeptly
- grand malSevere convulsive seizure type
- malignant tumorCancerous bodily growth
- malicious intentPurpose to cause harm
- malicious gossipHarmful talk about others
- malicious complianceHarmful adherence to instructions
- malice aforethoughtPrior intent to harm
dismal, malice, malarkey, malicious, malign, maleficent, malady, malignant, malaria