malign

[muh-lahyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to speak harmful untruths about; speak evil of; slander; defame.

   to malign an honorable man.

   Synonyms: vilify, abuse, revile, disparage, calumniate, libel
   Antonyms: praise

adjective

1. evil in effect; pernicious; baleful; injurious.

   The gloomy house had a malign influence upon her usually good mood.

   Synonyms: baneful

2. having or showing an evil disposition; malevolent; malicious.

malign

/ məˈlaɪn /

adjective

1. evil in influence, intention, or effect

verb

1. (tr) to slander or defame

Other Word Forms

• maligner noun
• malignly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of malign¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English maligne, from Middle French, from Latin malignus; mal-, benign

Word History and Origins

Origin of malign¹

C14: via Old French from Latin malīgnus spiteful, from malus evil

Example Sentences

A friend urges her to stay silent and not malign the “rich people” who caused her so much grief.

From Los Angeles Times

Knox filled that role by being easy to malign.

From Salon

And there was Kershaw, after his maligned bullpen danced through danger and barely survived, admitting that maybe this game meant a little more.

From Los Angeles Times

"Today the Jewish state is being maligned in a similar way."

From BBC

He also said people had attacked Graham's caravan and sent him hate mail showing "unpleasant" and "malign intent" towards him.

From BBC

Related Words

• besmirch 
• denigrate 
• disparage 
• insult 
• misrepresent 
• revile 
• smear 
• sully 
• taint 
• tarnish 
• vilify