malign
Malign (verb) means to say untrue or unfair things about someone in order to damage their reputation. Example: “The former employee maligned the company in a series of online posts.”
How to use malign
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs a verb, to badmouth or slander someone; as an adjective, harmful or evil.
Word forms
more malign comparative, maligned past tense, maligns singular, most malign superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The former employee _____ the company in a series of online posts.
Etymology
From Old French maligne, from Latin malignus, formed from malus ("bad") and genus ("kind, sort"). Compare "benign," its opposite.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for malign
See all rhymes for 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.