malign

UK: /məˈlaɪn/ US: /məˈlaɪn/ ,(mə līn′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ma•lign /məˈlaɪn/   v. 

[~ + object]
1. to speak harmful lies about;
   to slander;
   defame:
   She maligned her ex-husband whenever she could.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ma•lign  (mə līn′), v.t. 

1. to speak harmful untruths about;
   speak evil of;
   slander;
   defame:
   to malign an honorable man.

adj. 

2. evil in effect;
   pernicious;
   baleful;
   injurious:
   The gloomy house had a malign influence upon her usually good mood.
3. having or showing an evil disposition;
   malevolent;
   malicious.

• Latin malignus. See mal-, benign
• Middle French
• Middle English maligne 1275–1325

ma•lign′er, n. 
ma•lign′ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. libel, calumniate; disparage; revile, abuse, vilify.
• 2. baneful.

Antonyms

• 1. praise.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

malign / məˈlaɪn/ adjective

1. evil in influence, intention, or effect

verb

1. (transitive) to slander or defame

Etymology: 14th Century: via Old French from Latin malīgnus spiteful, from malus evil

maˈligner noun

maˈlignly adverb