Synonyms of maligning

maligning 1 of 3

noun

as in defamation

the making of false statements that damage another's reputation

public maligning of a person can actually be grounds for a lawsuit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defamation
• defaming
• libel
• libeling
• smearing
• criticism
• slander
• vilification
• vilifying
• blackening
• calumny
• attack
• abuse
• traducing
• character assassination
• contempt
• censure
• smear
• calumniation
• malice
• aspersing
• mud
• aspersion
• innuendo
• backbiting
• maliciousness
• disdain
• spite
• detraction
• denunciation
• invective
• denigration
• vituperation
• disparagement
• scorn
• spitefulness
• hatchet job
• venom
• malignancy
• malevolence
• hatefulness
• malignity
• belittlement
• muck
• meanness
• viciousness
• despite
• spleen
• nastiness
• cattiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praise
• respect
• commendation
• esteem
• applause
• honor
• acclaim
• flattery
• worship
• reverence
• accolade
• adoration
• veneration
• adulation

maligning

2 of 3

adjective

as in insulting

Related Words

• insulting
• vilifying
• slandering
• disparaging
• degrading
• demeaning
• slanderous
• defamatory
• libelous
• calumnious
• derogatory
• malign
• uncomplimentary
• pejorative
• contemptuous
• abusive
• depreciatory
• deprecatory
• belittling
• scornful
• decrying
• slighting
• disdainful
• opprobrious
• malignant
• aspersing
• denigratory
• scurrilous
• malicious
• derisory
• unkind
• spiteful
• virulent
• derogative
• malevolent
• depreciative
• denigrative
• hateful
• detractive
• cruel
• catty
• critical
• denunciatory
• envious
• jealous
• mean
• despiteful
• caustic
• acrimonious
• resentful
• rancorous
• venomous
• scathing
• jaundiced
• denunciative
• bitter
• nasty
• acrid

Dissimilar Words

• laudatory
• complimentary
• positive
• commendatory
• admiring
• approving
• friendly
• adulatory
• respectful
• applauding
• laudative
• appreciative
• sympathetic
• warm
• kind
• kindly
• kindhearted
• warmhearted
• unmalicious

maligning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of malign

as in libeling

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

• libeling
• smearing
• slandering
• vilifying
• defaming
• disgracing
• discrediting
• humiliating
• denigrating
• calumniating
• disparaging
• traducing
• shaming
• blackening
• belittling
• detracting
• aspersing
• dishonoring
• degrading
• disdaining
• debasing
• humbling
• scorning
• abasing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honoring
• exalting
• praising
• glorifying
• commending
• respecting
• applauding
• regarding
• admiring
• acclaiming
• worshipping
• esteeming
• adoring
• revering
• venerating

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of maligning

Verb

Policymakers defend draconian cuts to Medicaid by maligning the work ethic or honesty of low-income women, despite substantial evidence to the contrary. — Jocelyn Frye, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026

Underneath it, the authors of the flyer listed a few dubious talking points maligning immigrants. — Literary Hub, 8 Apr. 2026

Angel went for a respectful middle-of-the-road jab — complimenting her parenting and resilience, but maligning her for being petty. — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2026

Such interactions are based on pillars of respect and consensus, and on not publicly maligning any party. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Nov. 2025

Defense attorneys have also decried violations of fair-trial rights, saying that the prosecutor in the cases has sought to influence the jury pool by maligning those charged. — Lauren Carasik, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2017