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
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
The company argued that the rules unfairly maligned its products, because nuts are too high in fat to qualify as healthy.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 22 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
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
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026
The company argued that the rules unfairly maligned its products, because nuts are too high in fat to qualify as healthy.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 22 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maligned
Verb
-
Snack on apple slices smeared with nut butter.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Why are my windows still smeared after cleaning?—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 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
-
In the dormitory, the classroom, and on the football team, where Negroes were allowed only to be linebackers, he was humiliated.—
Gail Sheehy,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Still, Friday ranked as one of the most unexpected breakdowns in international sports since Germany humiliated host Brazil, 7-1, at the 2014 soccer World Cup.—
Bora Erden,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mandelson, known for his ability to spin stories and reënter the fold, has been disgraced before.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
-
More Epstein fallout At least six more co-conspirators may be in a trove of documents related to disgraced late financier Jeffrey Epstein, according to two House members who've pushed for their release.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 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
-
All four men were subjected to police interrogation techniques that are now widely discredited for leading to false confessions.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Maligned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maligned. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
