Need another word for Cancerous? Use these synonyms of Cancerous from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
malignant
harmful
destructive
deadly
lethal
poisonous
toxic
noxious
pernicious
deleterious
injurious
damaging
hurtful
baneful
baleful
calamitous
disastrous
fatal
mortal
pestilent
plague-like
virulent
carcinogenic
metastatic
neoplastic
oncogenic
pathological
morbid
diseased
afflicted
stricken
ailing
sickly
unhealthy
unwholesome
insidious
corrupting
corrupt
putrid
rotten
festering
infected
contaminated
polluted
tainted
spoiled
rotten
foul
loathsome
abhorrent
repugnant
repulsive
nauseating
disgusting
offensive
objectionable
distasteful
unpleasant
unpalatable
unsavory
gruesome
ghastly
horrific
heinous
atrocious
abominable
Meaning of Cancerous
The primary meaning of "cancerous" refers to something that is related to or characteristic of cancer, often describing a condition that is harmful or destructive.
Definitions
- Relating to or characterized by cancer, especially having the potential to cause cancer or to develop into cancer
- * Causing or capable of causing cancer
- * Resembling or analogous to cancer in its effects or influence
Etymology of Cancerous
The word "cancerous" originates from the Latin term "cancer," meaning crab, which was used to describe the disease due to the resemblance of swollen blood vessels around a tumor to the claws of a crab
The term has been used in English since the 17th century to describe conditions related to or characteristic of cancer
Example Uses
- The cancerous tumor was removed through surgery
- * The doctor warned that the patient's cancerous cells could spread to other parts of the body if left untreated
- * The air pollution in the city has cancerous effects on the residents' health
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
benign
harmless
non-toxic
non-carcinogenic
healthy
wholesome
safe
innocuous
mild
moderate
slight
negligible
minimal
insignificant
trivial
non-malignant
non-neoplastic
non-pathological
salutary
beneficial
advantageous
favorable
positive
constructive
curative
remedial
restorative
therapeutic