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
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
When the Bills drafted him in 2018, the pick was instantly maligned by fans across the country.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The team so maligned all season maybe, might, possibly, potentially can see a faint light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The law often renders women unprotected, maligned, and misunderstood.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, November polling by Data for Progress showed that Medicare-for-All, long maligned by critics as far-left and socialist, is backed by nearly two-thirds of voters, including a majority of independents and nearly half of Republicans.
—Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
Both films got maligned in press narratives, before anyone saw a frame, because of budgets and the fact that Sinners rights revert back to you, Ryan, far down the road.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025
Despite belonging to one of the NBA’s top players, Harden’s Adidas line has been long maligned by fans for what were perceived to be generic, uninspired designs.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
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
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
When the Bills drafted him in 2018, the pick was instantly maligned by fans across the country.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The team so maligned all season maybe, might, possibly, potentially can see a faint light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The law often renders women unprotected, maligned, and misunderstood.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, November polling by Data for Progress showed that Medicare-for-All, long maligned by critics as far-left and socialist, is backed by nearly two-thirds of voters, including a majority of independents and nearly half of Republicans.
—Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
Both films got maligned in press narratives, before anyone saw a frame, because of budgets and the fact that Sinners rights revert back to you, Ryan, far down the road.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025
Despite belonging to one of the NBA’s top players, Harden’s Adidas line has been long maligned by fans for what were perceived to be generic, uninspired designs.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maligned
Verb
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Blood was smeared on the hood, roof and rear of the sedan.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Jan. 2026
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Hadid appears beat up with a gash on her arm, dirt on her face, and smeared black eye makeup.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As the story continues, the Creature becomes increasingly enamored with the world around him — but turns monstrous when he is rejected and vilified by humans.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
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He has been vilified for his notorious drawings of oversized women with ample rumps and thick, powerful legs, definitely objectified and more or less turned into meat-at-the-ready.—
David Zane Mairowitz,
Rolling Stone,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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She had never been arrested before and felt humiliated when her mugshot was plastered all over the news after her arrest.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
12 Dec. 2025
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She was humiliated when her oldest son was forced to testify in a divorce case.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The Boston City Council will start off the new year with a new president and a fresh face to replace disgraced former Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
30 Dec. 2025
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In October, King Charles, 77, took the unprecedented step of stripping Andrew's princely style, titles and honors amid a resurgence of interest in Andrew's links to the late, disgraced Epstein.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Jerry Jones slandered my name to Cowboys media and national media for months.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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Blamed and discredited, the legendary warriors disband and go into hiding.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
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The admission of the Afrikaners was based on claims, which have been discredited, that white South African farmers were being killed in large numbers.—
Julia Ainsley,
NBC news,
25 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maligned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maligned. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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