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
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Recent Examples of maligned
In both Dream Scenario and The Drama, Borgli sides with the maligned, framing those who cast judgment as shrewish and needling (exemplified in The Drama with a deliciously irritating performance from Alana Haim).
—
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
Before and after taking charge of HHS, Kennedy called the CDC corrupt and maligned its officials as beholden to pharmaceutical companies.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Some of the top American stars, such as Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper, have been maligned for their inability to win the big game.
—Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Even the scenes in the endlessly maligned New York City (played at least partially by Fort Worth, Texas) look beautiful, undermining the nightmarish declarations of Sheridan’s scripts.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
Yeezy representative Milo Yiannopoulos maligned him and our firm in the press.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
Journalists related stories to Brown of the future princess giving them the slip, joking with them, managing her media relations so she wouldn’t be overexposed or maligned.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026
And though Milan’s Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena has been much maligned, for barely being ready in time for the hockey tournament, its acoustics met the moment.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 20 Feb. 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
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
Before and after taking charge of HHS, Kennedy called the CDC corrupt and maligned its officials as beholden to pharmaceutical companies.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Some of the top American stars, such as Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper, have been maligned for their inability to win the big game.
—Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Even the scenes in the endlessly maligned New York City (played at least partially by Fort Worth, Texas) look beautiful, undermining the nightmarish declarations of Sheridan’s scripts.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
Yeezy representative Milo Yiannopoulos maligned him and our firm in the press.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
Journalists related stories to Brown of the future princess giving them the slip, joking with them, managing her media relations so she wouldn’t be overexposed or maligned.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026
And though Milan’s Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena has been much maligned, for barely being ready in time for the hockey tournament, its acoustics met the moment.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 20 Feb. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maligned
Verb
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One of the men smeared our foreheads with sandalwood paste, vermilion, and rice.—
Elizabeth Cantrell,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
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On one visit, the pizza was smeared in a creamy, garlicky white sauce with a smattering of roasted broccoli.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Another signature initiative, the fact-checking news service BBC Verify, is routinely vilified by right-wing news outlets.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
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Yet, as often as institutional investors have been vilified for scooping up millions of homes, the data doesn’t back up the contention.—
Bob Woods,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Rockies have been humiliated before in their first home game, but never as badly as this.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
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The leadership of the country that has threatened the stability and prosperity of the world will eventually be ousted, disempowered and humiliated.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These brands have pulled sponsorship of Wireless Festival, which disgraced itself recently by scheduling Ye (formerly Kanye West) to headline.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
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Pepsi withdrew its sponsorship of Wireless Festival following the announcement that disgraced rapper Kanye West, 48, will headline the event.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Now, the ultimate question of whether Walters slandered Miller will return to the district court.—
Dale Denwalt,
Oklahoman,
29 Jan. 2026
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Jerry Jones slandered my name to Cowboys media and national media for months.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The financial motive was also discredited as George had previously turned down his share of the family inheritance.—
Patrick Salland,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
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The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, along with other medical organizations, considers the technique scientifically discredited.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maligned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maligned. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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