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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of maligned
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
The run defense, which has been maligned despite some real strides recently, put forth an outstanding effort to allow only 55 yards with an average of fewer than four yards per carry.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 1 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
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
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
The run defense, which has been maligned despite some real strides recently, put forth an outstanding effort to allow only 55 yards with an average of fewer than four yards per carry.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 1 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maligned
Verb
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Pink and blue clown paint is now smeared all over the driver's side airbag.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
16 Dec. 2025
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Hardware stores were the best venue for cheap glues, glazes, and epoxies, which could be smeared, stuffed, and sanded into every crack and crevice.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Dec. 2025
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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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
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Original studies suggesting a link were flawed and have been discredited.—
Beth Warren,
Nashville Tennessean,
22 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maligned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maligned. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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