malign
[ muh-lahyn ]
/ məˈlaɪn /
verb (used with object)
to speak harmful untruths about; speak evil of; slander; defame: to malign an honorable man.
adjective
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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RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
Origin of malign
SYNONYMS FOR malign
Related formsma·lign·er, nounma·lign·ly, adverbun·ma·ligned, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for maligner
British Dictionary definitions for maligner
malign
/ (məˈlaɪn) /
adjective
evil in influence, intention, or effect
verb
(tr) to slander or defame
Derived Formsmaligner, nounmalignly, adverb
Word Origin for malign
C14: via Old French from Latin malīgnus spiteful, from malus evil
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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