malign
3 synonyms and 1 antonyms for malign, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To say untrue or unfair things about someone in order to damage their reputation.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use malign
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French maligne, from Latin malignus, formed from malus ("bad") and genus ("kind, sort"). Compare "benign," its opposite.
Full origin of malign →Frequently asked questions
What does “malign” mean?
The word “malign” means to say untrue or unfair things about someone in order to damage their reputation. In plain terms, as a verb, to badmouth or slander someone; as an adjective, harmful or evil.
How do you pronounce “malign”?
“Malign” is pronounced muh-LYN (/məˈlaɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “malign” in a sentence?
Here is “malign” used in a sentence: “The former employee maligned the company in a series of online posts.”
What is the opposite of “malign”?
The opposite of “malign” — its antonyms — is benign.
What part of speech is “malign”?
Depending on how it is used, “malign” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “malign” come from?
The word “malign” comes from Latin. From Old French maligne, from Latin malignus, formed from malus ("bad") and genus ("kind, sort"). Compare "benign," its opposite.
How many meanings does “malign” have?
“Malign” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to say untrue or unfair things about someone in order to damage their reputation.