MALIGN Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

malign 1 of 2

adjective

mə-ˈlīn

Definition of malign

as in malicious

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

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malign

2 of 2

verb

as in to libel

to make untrue and harmful statements about a candidate who believes that it is possible to win an election without maligning anyone

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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

Example 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

North Korea, Russia, and China could use cryptocurrency to move money, bypass controls, and expand malign influence. — Richard Nephew, Fortune, 2 July 2026 The prices, the vast distances fans have to cover, the hijacking of the tournament by malign political forces, the environmental damage that all of this travel is causing… there is plenty to take the edge off the primal joy that the football has given us. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 23 June 2026

Verb

Slack continues to be a bright spot in the results — a major reversal from a couple years ago, when the company was maligned for paying too much to acquire the workplace messaging app during the Covid-19 pandemic. — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 City Hall is extending the deadline for New Yorkers seeking an exemption to the highly controversial — and much maligned —pied-à-terre tax law, Mayor Mamdani announced Saturday. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for malign

Recent Examples of Synonyms for malign

Adjective

Strong antivirus software can help protect against malicious links, phishing sites and malware that may appear alongside these scams.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Tech companies are playing whack-a-mole around the world as their models get up to more hijinks and are used for malicious purposes.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of malicious

Verb

In 2022, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over both trials, decided The Times was not liable for defamation while jurors were deliberating, that the error amounted to unfortunate editorializing but not libel.

— Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.

— George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025

Definition of libel

Adjective

The offbeat, cruel cadence of the bit reminded me of classic Update Norm Macdonald.

— Charu Sinha, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026
The misery of the situation could feel overwhelming, even cruel, but Cahyono’s observation of Sumiati’s struggles is humane and sympathetic.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of cruel

Verb

Following Tuesday’s baseline dust-up after a foul on Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson confronted a fan, leading Cloud to take to Threads and smear both the Indiana Fever organization and the spectator.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Sweat glistened on the white foundation smeared across her face.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of smear

Adjective

On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes.

— Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
Lynch was on the outside trying to gather herself after the vicious table slam.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of vicious

Verb

One need look no further back in history than 20th-century Europe to see what can happen when populations and government officials begin vilifying the Jewish people.

— Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026
Some of this was exacerbated by going to Duke, of course, which has a history of some of its best players being vilified nationwide.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of vilify

Adjective

The fanbase has been labeled as hateful by the media, opposing players and even A'ja Wilson's mom.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
The apology was met with a lukewarm reaction from a public that had watched the rapper’s troubling antics and hateful statements for years.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of hateful

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Cite this Entry

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“Malign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malign. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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