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

Noun

But the racial narratives the media manufactures with her are as absurd as the maligning of her fan base. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Some dietitians have additionally felt thrown off by new dietary advice that goes against the nutritional consensus, including an emphasis on meat, and the maligning of seed oils. — Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026

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