malign

American  

[muh-lahyn] / məˈlaɪn /

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

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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 British  

/ məˈlaɪn /

adjective

1. evil in influence, intention, or effect

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verb

1. (tr) to slander or defame

Other Word Forms

• maligner noun
• malignly adverb

Etymology

Origin of malign

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

Example Sentences

"I became a meme, I was the most maligned HR manager in HR history," Ms Cabot told The Times.

From BBC

Few parts of American corporations today are more important—and more maligned—than human-resource management.

From The Wall Street Journal

The operation elevated the global standing of the SBU, long maligned as a corrupt successor of the Soviet KGB shot through with traitors.

From The Wall Street Journal

The strategy usefully highlights the importance of removing malign interests from the hemisphere—albeit without mentioning Russia or China or Cuba as those influences.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The malicious and malign intent is really sinister," the officer said.

From BBC

Related Words

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