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
There’s a mildly interesting thread of casting formerly maligned, misunderstood figures like Elizabeth Berkley and Jessica Simpson as clients, but any cultural commentary is overpowered by just how cruel the show is to their characters.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
Hours before the game, the Senators were maligned for their lineup choices.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
However, by 2013, the King's multiple scandals had caught up with him, and he was maligned for his romantic affairs, financial misappropriation and an infamous elephant hunting trip to Africa.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Bats have long been maligned, associated with the likes of Dracula and other spooky fiends of the night.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Thibodeau has been unfairly maligned for his hard-driving approach to the game.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
The Carolina Panthers’ much maligned 2023 draft class took another hit on Tuesday.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Kennedy's rhetoric on autism has been embraced by some corners of the autism community and maligned in others.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
In other past social media posts, Kirk maligned hate speech as a weapon that liberals used to punish conservatives for their free speech.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
Hours before the game, the Senators were maligned for their lineup choices.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
However, by 2013, the King's multiple scandals had caught up with him, and he was maligned for his romantic affairs, financial misappropriation and an infamous elephant hunting trip to Africa.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Bats have long been maligned, associated with the likes of Dracula and other spooky fiends of the night.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Thibodeau has been unfairly maligned for his hard-driving approach to the game.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
The Carolina Panthers’ much maligned 2023 draft class took another hit on Tuesday.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Kennedy's rhetoric on autism has been embraced by some corners of the autism community and maligned in others.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
In other past social media posts, Kirk maligned hate speech as a weapon that liberals used to punish conservatives for their free speech.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maligned
Verb
-
Trudeau wrapped his other arm around Hadrien, who had smeared fake blood on the side of his face.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
For two hours, the inmate remained on the ground with blood smeared on his forehead and pooling on the ground near his head, according to prosecutors.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In spite of its long history, DEI has been misunderstood and vilified through the lens of race.—
Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The eponymous squad consists of metahumans and supernatural beings who spent time in a military prison after being abused and vilified.—
Matt Zoller Seitz,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After users online and public figures rushed to show solidarity to Miss Mexico, who many felt had been publicly humiliated, the Thai executive came out to apologize.—
Paula Soria,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
No woman, under any circumstance, deserves to be insulted or humiliated.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
To play disgraced, disbarred and incarcerated South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh, Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty, The Last Frontier) packed on 40 pounds.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The process, carried out by regional district councils and overseen by the national office, requires disgraced pastors to step away from ministry for at least a year and undergo Christian counseling, according to a 135-page restoration handbook obtained by NBC News.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Dearborn has often been slandered for simply coexisting peacefully, because the truth is, some people are uncomfortable, and frankly upset about seeing church steeples and mosque domes share the same skyline on roads.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Freep.com,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Moreno calls accusations ‘slander’ In a statement provided to The Bee, Moreno denied the accusations and said she was being slandered.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Some of these posts that claim to show theft as a result of no SNAP have been discredited, while others questioned for their authenticity.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Many fans have welcomed her to the two-time winners club, joining the likes of Tony Vlachos and Sandra Diaz-Twine, while others have discredited her triumph.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maligned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maligned. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share