malign 1 of 2

malign

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word malign different from other adjectives like it?

The words baleful and sinister are common synonyms of malign. While all three words mean "seriously threatening evil or disaster," malign applies to what is inherently evil or harmful.

the malign effects of racism

When could baleful be used to replace malign?

In some situations, the words baleful and malign are roughly equivalent. However, baleful imputes perniciousness or destructiveness to something whether working openly or covertly.

exerting a corrupt and baleful influence

When would sinister be a good substitute for malign?

The synonyms sinister and malign are sometimes interchangeable, but sinister suggests a general or vague feeling of fear or apprehension on the part of the observer.

a sinister aura haunts the place

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of malign
Adjective
Other necessary actions would include reducing malign economic influence, curtailing their global trade, and tightening what would likely be a robust set of sanctions. Daniel R. Green, Baltimore Sun, 15 Dec. 2024 Project Texas would provide for a series of audits and code reviews of the algorithm in the United States, in which U.S. actors, including engineers at Oracle Corporation, would have an opportunity to detect any malign foreign influence over the recommendations engine. Emily Baker-White, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
Verb
The lesson: The NBA regular season is often maligned for its length, but that length has also proved to be an effective predictor of which teams can endure four consecutive best-of-seven playoff rounds. Read the full story here. Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 6 June 2025 Michael Conforto, much maligned in his first few months in Los Angeles, drew a walk to give the Dodgers a 6-5 edge. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for malign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malign
Adjective
  • The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
  • Nor are alligators the consistently malicious snappers of Kristi Noem’s dreams.
    Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • In 2022, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over both trials, decided The Times was not liable for defamation while jurors were deliberating, that the error amounted to unfortunate editorializing but not libel.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.
    George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • What is a totalitarian leader other than an individualist taking that creed to its cruel conclusions, erasing the uniqueness of every other person into mere characters in a drama?
    Ed Simon June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
  • This realization reconfigures the entire book, recasting their ongoing dialogue and seemingly cordial relations as an interstellar jail—and the novel itself into an extended, especially cruel prison sentence.
    Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • The assertion by certain anonymous users online is a typically out-of-context and absurd effort to create fake news for clicks and to smear.
    Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • In extreme cases, some parents will threaten to smear the therapist's name, leave bad reviews, complain to the licensing board, or even threaten the therapist’s physical safety.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • This approach costs three times more than housing people and creates a vicious cycle — incarceration increases homelessness risk by destroying community connections and employment prospects.
    Mahdi E Diab, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • Of course, no conversation about Yellowjackets season 3 would be complete without a deep dive into Shauna's vicious throw down with Swank's Melissa — during which Shauna rips a chunk of flesh off Melissa's arm with her teeth and forces her to eat it.
    EW.com, EW.com, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • My patients' stories—of trauma, desperation, and resilience—tell a very different story from the political rhetoric, which often demonizes the procedure, vilifies doctors, and shames those who seek care.
    Dr. Shelley Sella, Time, 11 June 2025
  • Recently, Gaines' commentary has also included spotlighting and, in some cases, vilifying transgender youth for their involvement in women's and girls' sports.
    Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Our national broadcaster should not be transmitting hateful material designed to incite violence and conflict.
    Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR, 30 June 2025
  • Instead, the program selectively promoted one viewpoint while silencing others, effectively teaching children that religious beliefs about sexuality and gender are outdated or even hateful.
    Jeffrey S. Trimbath, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Malign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malign. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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