Malign — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective verb /mə-ˈlīn/ ma·lign

Meaning & Definition of Malign

Malign (adjective)

  1. evil in nature, influence, or effect, injurious
  2. malignant, virulent
  3. having or showing intense often vicious ill will, malevolent

Malign (verb)

  1. to utter injuriously misleading or false reports about, speak evil of

Malign (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it

    "both parties to the divorce showed a malign desire to make each other's future life utterly miserable"

    similar: bad (slang), bitchy, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, vicious, virulent
    related: devious, scoundrelly, scurvy, snakelike, acrimonious, bitter, envious, jaundiced, jealous, rancorous, resentful, vindictive, vitriolic, contemptuous, deprecating, derogatory, disdainful, disparaging, mean-spirited, obnoxious, opprobrious, scornful, snide, snotty, unkind, unkindly, unloving, baleful, baneful, evil, harsh, hostile, inimical, acrid, caustic, poisonous, scathing, venomous
    opposite: benevolent, benign, benignant, loving, unmalicious
    near: compassionate, good, good-hearted, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, warm, warmhearted, affable, agreeable, amiable, cordial, friendly, genial, gracious, nice, pleasant, affectionate, amorous, sweet, tender, tenderhearted, humane, altruistic, high-minded, humanitarian, magnanimous, noble, philanthropic

Malign (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make untrue and harmful statements about

    "a candidate who believes that it is possible to win an election without maligning anyone"

    similar: asperse, blacken, calumniate, defame, libel, slander, smear, traduce, vilify
    related: belittle, denigrate, detract, disparage, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, shame, abase, debase, degrade, humble, humiliate, disdain, scorn
    near: exalt, glorify, honor, acclaim, applaud, commend, praise, esteem, respect, admire, regard, adore, revere, venerate, worship

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Malign

The most common words with a similar meaning to Malign:

Slang: bad
bitchy, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, vicious, virulent, asperse, blacken, calumniate, defame, libel, slander, smear, traduce, vilify

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Malign

Words with the opposite meaning of Malign:

benevolent, benign, benignant, loving, unmalicious

Related Words for Malign

devious, scoundrelly, scurvy, snakelike, acrimonious, bitter, envious, jaundiced, jealous, rancorous, resentful, vindictive, vitriolic, contemptuous, deprecating, derogatory, disdainful, disparaging, mean-spirited, obnoxious, opprobrious, scornful, snide, snotty, unkind, unkindly, unloving, baleful, baneful, evil

Near Antonyms of Malign

compassionate, good, good-hearted, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, warm, warmhearted, affable, agreeable, amiable, cordial, friendly, genial, gracious, nice, pleasant, affectionate, amorous, sweet, tender, tenderhearted, humane, altruistic, high-minded, humanitarian, magnanimous, noble, philanthropic

Word Forms of Malign

Inflections: maligned, maligning, maligns

Derived words: malignly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Malign

Middle English maligne, from Anglo-French, from Latin malignus, from male badly + gignere to beget mal-, kin

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Malign

What does "Malign" mean?

"Malign" means evil in nature, influence, or effect, injurious. As an an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: evil in nature, influence, or effect, injurious. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Malign"?

Other words for "Malign" include bad, bitchy, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent and malicious. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Malign" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Malign"?

There are 76 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Malign". Common alternatives include bad, bitchy, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malignant and mean.

What is the opposite of "Malign"?

Antonyms of "Malign" include benevolent, benign, benignant, loving and unmalicious. Near antonyms include compassionate, good, good-hearted and kind.

How do you use "Malign" in a sentence?

Examples of "Malign" in a sentence: "both parties to the divorce showed a malign desire to make each other's future life utterly miserable"; "a candidate who believes that it is possible to win an election without maligning anyone".

Is "Malign" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Malign" can be used as an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Malign"?

"Malign" is pronounced /mə-ˈlīn/ and divided into syllables as ma·lign.

What is the origin of the word "Malign"?

"Malign" comes from Middle English maligne, from Anglo-French, from Latin malignus, from male badly + gignere to beget mal-, kin. First known use: 14th century.