as in libeled
to make untrue and harmful statements about
a candidate who believes that it is possible to win an election without maligning anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 maligned
Is Spider-Man 3 fairly or unfairly maligned?
—
James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Texas has been maligned for its lack of bench production this season, but Lassina Traore, Chendall Weaver and Simeon Wilcher have all been on the court during this decisive late run.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
While leopard print has long been everywhere, and cow and deer print are experiencing somewhat of a revival, tiger stripes feel much more maligned.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
In just a few short years, you’ve become known for these docs about women who aren’t simply high-profile, but who’ve seen their lives play out in the public eye and have often been maligned in the media.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Like several women maligned in the ’90s, Harding was reevaluated in later years, and the sympathetic 2017 biopic I, Tonya helped to rehabilitate her image.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
So obviously, the answer was to give Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski, two players frequently maligned for shooting struggles, more shot attempts.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026
Not just dead but grotesquely maligned in her death, in ways that try to enforce and underscore the patriarchal order that women such as Good threaten.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
Beck has been excessively maligned considering the career body of work, his record as a starter now 37-5.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Texas has been maligned for its lack of bench production this season, but Lassina Traore, Chendall Weaver and Simeon Wilcher have all been on the court during this decisive late run.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
While leopard print has long been everywhere, and cow and deer print are experiencing somewhat of a revival, tiger stripes feel much more maligned.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
In just a few short years, you’ve become known for these docs about women who aren’t simply high-profile, but who’ve seen their lives play out in the public eye and have often been maligned in the media.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Like several women maligned in the ’90s, Harding was reevaluated in later years, and the sympathetic 2017 biopic I, Tonya helped to rehabilitate her image.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
So obviously, the answer was to give Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski, two players frequently maligned for shooting struggles, more shot attempts.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026
Not just dead but grotesquely maligned in her death, in ways that try to enforce and underscore the patriarchal order that women such as Good threaten.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
Beck has been excessively maligned considering the career body of work, his record as a starter now 37-5.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maligned
Verb
-
His nose is smeared with a white strip of sun cream.—
Molly Aitken,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Their clothes are smeared with mud, symbolizing the earthy, devotional spirit of the journey.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For civil servants, who have been unfairly vilified, erratically fired and criminally prosecuted.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The dissatisfaction has risen as corporations abandon their commitments to environmental, social and governance issues, vilified on the right as ESG and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.—
Chris Tomlinson,
Houston Chronicle,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Days after the segment was recorded, Schmitz shot Amedure to death, then confessed to the murder, saying he'd been humiliated on national TV.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
-
During the flight, she’s thoroughly humiliated when someone finds her audition tape for Survivor and displays it on his laptop for all to enjoy.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Trump denied ever visiting the island owned by the deceased and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Last month, the DOJ released another cache of Epstein files, which underlined Mountbatten-Windsor’s relationship with not only Epstein but Epstein’s then-girlfriend, disgraced former British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Now, the ultimate question of whether Walters slandered Miller will return to the district court.—
Dale Denwalt,
Oklahoman,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Jerry Jones slandered my name to Cowboys media and national media for months.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And suddenly, along came Franklin Roosevelt, along came the Depression, along came World War II, and they were just discredited.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Blamed and discredited, the legendary warriors disband and go into hiding.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maligned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maligned. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
