What is the term for a person who is malicious or a heretic?

The term "miscreant" refers to someone who behaves in a way that is morally wrong or criminal, which aligns with the idea of being malicious or a heretic. This word is often used to describe individuals who engage in wrongful conduct or who display a lack of moral principles. The connotation of the term encompasses both wrongdoing in legal and ethical contexts, making it appropriate for describing someone who might be seen as malicious or deviating from accepted beliefs.

In contrast, the other terms do not share this meaning. "Malinger" relates to someone who pretends illness to avoid duty or work, while "malleable" describes something that is easily shaped or influenced, lacking any implication of wrongdoing. "Obfuscate" means to deliberately make something unclear or difficult to understand, which does not connect to a person's character as malicious or heretical. Thus, "miscreant" is the most fitting term for a person who exhibits such negative traits.