malign
[muh-lahyn]
- to speak harmful untruths about; speak evil of; slander; defame: to malign an honorable man.
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- evil in effect; pernicious; baleful; injurious: The gloomy house had a malign influence upon her usually good mood.
- having or showing an evil disposition; malevolent; malicious.
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Origin of malign
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms
1. praise.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
sullyreviletarnishsmeartaintdenigrateinsultdisparagemisrepresentvilifybesmirchdefileharmaccusepollutesoilaspersevituperaterapcurseExamples from the Web for malign
Contemporary Examples
Timor is overjoyed at the malign trouble he and his friends have caused.
The ‘Hunted’ Gays of Putin’s Russia: Vicious Vigilantes and State Bigotry Close UpTim Teeman
October 6, 2014
For people prone to believe doctors like me are part of some malign conspiracy, nothing I say will make a difference.
Vaccines Are Poison, Cellphones Cause Cancer, and Other Medical ConspiraciesRussell Saunders
July 18, 2014
She leaves, scared of what she is capable of doing, her malign mentor cackling.
‘Game of Thrones’ Withdrawal? Watch Nickelodeon’s Fantasy Epic ‘The Legend of Korra’David Levesley
July 1, 2014
If the answer is yes, there is every chance that the news will throw a malign shadow over the tournament in Brazil.
After a few years in which Washington has exerted a malign force on demand, it is showing signs of becoming a neutral force.
Historical Examples
The most malign of all these dangers today is disregard and disobedience of law.
The dread was like a malign invisible presence, never leaving me.
The Conquest of FearBasil King
She could never have dreamed that she had this malign power, but she was now at least to suspect it.
Ruggles of Red GapHarry Leon Wilson
We have crushed the Rebellion, but not its hopes or its malign purposes.
No matter how much others may malign you, I am still your friend.
Grace Harlowe's ProblemJessie Graham Flower
malign
- evil in influence, intention, or effect
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- (tr) to slander or defame
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Word Origin
C14: via Old French from Latin malīgnus spiteful, from malus evil
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for malign
v.
"to slander," mid-15c., from earlier more literal sense of "to plot, to contrive" (early 15c.), from Old French malignier "to plot, deceive, pervert," from Late Latin malignare "to do maliciously," from malignus (see malign (adj.)). Related: Maligned; maligning.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper