Meaning of malign in English

1. Pronunciation

   /məˈlaɪn/

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1. Verb

   malign

   Definitions

   1. speak unfavorably about

   Examples

   • « She badmouthes her husband everywhere »

2. Classifying Adjective

   malign

   Definitions

   1. having or exerting a malignant influence

   Examples

   • « malevolent stars »
   • « a malefic force »

   Synonyms

   • maleficent

3. Qualitative Adjective

   malign

   Etymology

   Middle English: via Old French maligne (adjective), malignier (verb), based on Latin malignus‘tending to evil’, from malus‘bad’

   Definitions

   1. evil or harmful in nature or influence

   Examples

   • « prompted by malign motives »
   • « believed in witches and malign spirits »
   • « gave him a malign look »
   • « a malign lesion »

   Synonyms

   • cancerous
   • evil
   • harmful
   • injurious
   • malevolent
   • malignant

   Antonyms

   • benign
   • benignant

See also

• harmful
• maleficent
• malevolent
• unkind