malign (məˈlaɪn
)
Definitions
adjective
- evil in influence, intention, or effect
verb
- (tr) to slander or defame
Alternative Forms
maˈligner noun maˈlignly adverbWord Origin
C14: via Old French from Latin malīgnus spiteful, from malus evilSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
disparage,
abuse,
run down,
libel,
knock,
injure,
rubbish,
smear,
blacken (someone's name) slag (off)
denigrate,
revile,
vilify,
slander,
defame,
bad-mouth,
traduce,
speak ill of
derogate,
do a hatchet job on
calumniate,
asperse,
=
evil,
bad,
destructive,
harmful,
hostile,
vicious,
malignant,
wicked,
hurtful,
pernicious,
malevolent,
baleful,
deleterious,
injurious,
baneful,
maleficent,
Usage examples
But, such was the malign fortune of this affair, he might just try and jump!
, The Last Raven (1990)Could it be that one faction pulled off the mischief to malign the other?
India Today (2001)In the malign Olympics of human suffering, the United States is not even in the building.
Globe and Mail (2003)No one in Europe believes that Saddam does not have a malign motive.
Times, Sunday Times (2002)Things seemed to flow into one another; a kind face could rapidly become menacing, a pleasant landscape take on a malign aspect.
, THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE (2004)