The Root mal: bad
French root
The root mal means bad, and it comes from French. It shows up across the GRE, hidden inside words that look unrelated at first glance. Once you recognize it, you can decode the meaning of an unfamiliar word on sight instead of guessing. Below are 3 GRE words built from this one root. Learn the root, and you unlock the whole family.
Words from the root mal
A general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease
“A general malaise spread through the office during flu season.”
Having or showing a wish to do evil to others
“The malevolent villain plotted the hero's downfall.”
To speak about someone in a harmful or untruthful way; evil in nature
“Competitors maligned his reputation with false accusations.”
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