malign 1 of 2

malign

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word malign different from other adjectives like it?

The words baleful and sinister are common synonyms of malign. While all three words mean "seriously threatening evil or disaster," malign applies to what is inherently evil or harmful.

the malign effects of racism

When could baleful be used to replace malign?

In some situations, the words baleful and malign are roughly equivalent. However, baleful imputes perniciousness or destructiveness to something whether working openly or covertly.

exerting a corrupt and baleful influence

When would sinister be a good substitute for malign?

The synonyms sinister and malign are sometimes interchangeable, but sinister suggests a general or vague feeling of fear or apprehension on the part of the observer.

a sinister aura haunts the place

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of malign
Adjective
Other necessary actions would include reducing malign economic influence, curtailing their global trade, and tightening what would likely be a robust set of sanctions. Daniel R. Green, Baltimore Sun, 15 Dec. 2024 Project Texas would provide for a series of audits and code reviews of the algorithm in the United States, in which U.S. actors, including engineers at Oracle Corporation, would have an opportunity to detect any malign foreign influence over the recommendations engine. Emily Baker-White, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
Verb
The Ravens’ defense, maligned over the first three months, is starting to take the ball away and play much more disciplined. Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024 Many human judges have become wildly maligned for egregious scorecards, and for more than a century, many have seen them as a window into corruption in the sport. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for malign 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malign
Adjective
  • Ultimately, the debate over the ability of malicious hackers to trigger a continent-wide blackout is moot and a distraction from the issue that really matters.
    Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Android users can also keep Google Play Protect enabled to scan for malicious code—even on sideloaded apps.
    Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.
    Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Though he was not named in the ad, Mr. Sullivan asserted he had been personally libeled by The Times and four Black ministers who were signed to the ad.
    David W. Dunlap, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • And having more thoughtful conversations doesn’t preclude the need sometimes to confront those who are needlessly cruel or organizations that benefit from such exploitation.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 Jan. 2025
  • In recent months, the Justice Department and the state filed thousands of pages of new records in the lawsuit, including reports and sworn statements from pediatricians, scholars and others who describe Florida’s policies as archaic and cruel.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In the Mecklenburg County jail, he was accused of assaulting guards, breaking sprinklers, and smearing feces on his cell walls.
    Kallie Cox, Charlotte Observer, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The peanut pesto smearing the fish hits all the flavor notes: umami from the fish sauce, caramelly sweetness from the brown sugar, and brightness from the lime juice.
    Megan Zhang, Saveur, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But Canadian model and actress Kat Pasion, whose credits include Altered Carbon, The Flash and Nancy Drew, appears in the ID series to help corroborate the vicious abuse and assaults that Ventura allegedly endured and chronicled in her landmark civil suit.
    Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Combined with a vicious splitter, which is one of the best in the world right now, Sasaki has proved unstoppable at times.
    Jamie Barton, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Intervene with cosmetics and procedures and you’ll be vilified for being superficial.
    Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Lawsuits have already started to pile up, insurance companies have been vilified, and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and Los Angeles Democratic Mayor Karen Bass have not only been taken to task, but recall efforts have started to gain momentum.
    Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Garvey’s legacy has been complicated, especially due to his sometimes hateful and violent rhetoric against Jews, white people, Catholics, and other groups.
    Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Jan. 2025
  • The settlement, announced by the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, requires Rutgers to take a series of actions to combat discrimination on campus after 400 reports of hateful incidents on campus were filed between July 2023 and June 2024.
    Fox News Staff, Fox News, 16 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Malign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malign. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

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