malign

²malign

verb

Definition of MALIGN

transitive verb

: to utter injuriously misleading or false reports about : speak evil of

Examples of MALIGN

1. Her supporters say she is being unfairly maligned in the press.
2. <a candidate who believes that it is possible to win an election without maligning anyone>

Origin of MALIGN

Middle English, from Anglo-French maligner to act maliciously, from Late Latin malignari, from Latin malignus

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to MALIGN

Synonyms: asperse, blacken, calumniate, defame, libel, slander, smear, traduce, vilify

Related Words: belittle, denigrate, detract, disparage; discredit, disgrace, dishonor, shame; abase, debase, degrade, humble, humiliate; disdain, scorn

Near Antonyms: exalt, glorify, honor; acclaim, applaud, commend, praise; esteem, respect; admire, regard; adore, revere, venerate, worship

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Synonym Discussion of MALIGN

malign, traduce, asperse, vilify, calumniate, defame, slander mean to injure by speaking ill of. malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying <the most maligned monarch in British history>. traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim <so traduced the governor that he was driven from office>. asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction <both candidates aspersed the other's motives>. vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse <no criminal was more vilified in the press>. calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions <falsely calumniated as a traitor>. defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name <sued them for defaming her reputation>. slander stresses the suffering of the victim <town gossips slandered their good name>.