Word
malign
Phoneticsma·lign, stress on the second syllable
US/məˈɫaɪn/
UK/məlˈaɪn/
Definition
v. to say bad things about someone, often things that are not true, to hurt their good name.
v. to make false or damaging statements about someone or something in order to harm reputation.
Examples
“She never maligns her coworkers behind their backs.”
“During the election, both candidates promised not to malign each other in campaign ads.”
“The memoir carefully avoids maligning former colleagues, preferring to explain disagreements without questioning their motives.”
Examples
simple
“She never maligns her coworkers behind their backs.”
contextual
“During the election, both candidates promised not to malign each other in campaign ads.”
complex
“The memoir carefully avoids maligning former colleagues, preferring to explain disagreements without questioning their motives.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “malign” in context.
Verb
01. critic malign
“Critics maligned the director long before the film was even released.”
noun + verb
02. malign character
“The tabloid story maligned the character of an honest public servant.”
verb + noun
03. malign memory
“Critics said the biography maligned the memory of the late president.”
verb + noun
04. malign opponent
“Instead of debating policy, he chose to malign his opponent with personal attacks.”
verb + noun
05. malign reputation
“Rivals maligned her reputation with unfounded rumours about corruption.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. deliberately malign
“She claimed the article deliberately maligned her professional reputation.”
adv + verb
07. falsely malign
“He falsely maligned his former partner to win custody of the children.”
adv + verb
Noun
08. attempt to malign
“His attempt to malign the judge was condemned as contempt of court.”
noun + to + verb
09. campaign to malign
“The campaign to malign the whistleblower failed when evidence emerged.”
noun + to + verb
10. effort to malign
“Her effort to malign colleagues ultimately damaged her own credibility.”
noun + to + verb
11. deliberately malign someone's reputation
“The article deliberately maligned her reputation with distorted quotes.”
12. falsely malign a colleague
“She falsely maligned a colleague in order to secure the promotion.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“Investment funds with large housing portfolios are another much-maligned group, accused of being "vulture funds" that acquire properties and hike rents for maximum profits.” “Many supporters, however, were content with the traditional – and much maligned – half and half scarf to commemorate such an occasion.” “Local government reorganisation is on hold, along with an overhaul of the much-maligned water industry.” “A penny for the thoughts of Steve Clarke, Pocognoli’s immediate predecessor and a coach much-maligned in certain quarters.” Etymology
From Middle English maligne, from Old French maligne, from Latin malignus, from malus (“bad”) + genus (“sort, kind”). Compare benign.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/malign