malign

USAGE SUMMARY

"malign" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a particular attitude or opinion, typically one that is hostile or unkind. For example, "His malign purpose was to undermine his rival's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Either outcome would afford terrorists an ideal sanctuary, a greater danger than Awlaki even at his most malign, especially for the pro-western monarchies elsewhere on the Arabian Peninsula.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wetherspoon is stepping up its efforts in the breakfast market to counteract slowing sales growth and what it says is the malign effect of cheap supermarket alcohol on the pub trade.

The Guardian - Business

Party members have complained about the printing of surplus ballot papers, irregularities in the voters' roll, traditional leaders "frogmarching" villagers to the polls, people feigning illiteracy to be "assisted", voters being bussed to faraway constituencies, and the malign influence of the military.

The Guardian

Or is it the malign spirit of a girl this septet cyber-bullied into suicide exactly one year ago this very night?

The Guardian - Film

I was diagnosed with a malign non-Hodgkin diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

The Guardian

There wouldn't be any malign repercussions if I did put my name to it, but it is in the bloodstream of islanders that the operation of local society is mutually exclusive with the confrontational nature of party politics.

The Guardian

We're so used to thinking of soft power as a benign weapon that it requires an effort of will and understanding to see that it can be used in entirely malign ways, domestically as well as externally.

The Guardian - Opinion

But also in Vienna before the first world war were – some resident, some passing through – those malign and unhinged empire builders Adolf Hitler, Trotsky and Stalin.

The Guardian - Arts

Gormley stressed that no alternative constellation of parties heading another government could do any better in the face of the malign global economic forces battering the country.

The Guardian

In the past week alone we have seen wails that the sacking of Jeremy Clarkson points to an "emasculated" BBC, articles proclaiming that UN statistics on sexual violence unfairly malign men, comment pieces that declare the "real" everyday sexism in the UK to be against men; even Russell Crowe mourning "the loss of traditional masculinity".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And now the malign giant tongue slide.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the verb form, ensure the object is a person or entity whose reputation is being unfairly attacked.

Common error

Avoid using "malign" to describe a tumor in a professional medical report; use "malignant" instead. While "malign" is acceptable in general literature for 'a malign ulcer', "malignant" is the precise technical term in healthcare.

Linguistic Context

The term "malign" functions as a dual-class word. As an adjective, it describes a disposition or influence that is evil or harmful. As a verb, it is transitive, requiring a direct object that is being slandered. Ludwig examples demonstrate its high utility in describing systemic issues like "malign influence" or "malign neglect".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "malign" is a powerful tool for writers looking to describe harmful influences or defamatory actions with precision. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently used as an adjective in socio-political commentary to describe a negative external force, such as "malign influence". However, its role as a verb remains essential for describing the act of speaking ill of others. Whether you are analyzing a "malign global economic force" or cautioning against those who "malign men", the word provides a level of gravitas that simple synonyms lacks. Its strong presence in elite journalism confirms it as a key vocabulary item for formal and professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defame

Acts as a direct synonym for the verb form, focusing on reputation damage

malevolent

Focuses more on the internal desire to cause harm rather than the external effect

slander

Refers specifically to the oral act of making false and damaging statements

traduce

A formal verb meaning to speak maliciously and falsely of

malignant

Primarily used in medical contexts for tumors or to describe infectious evil

pernicious

Suggests harm that is subtle, gradual, or difficult to detect

sinister

Implies an ominous or evil quality that may not be fully visible

inimical

Indicates something that is obstructive or hostile to a particular goal

baleful

Carries a sense of menacing or threatening harm

vituperate

A more intense verb for attacking someone with violent language

FAQs

How to use "malign" in a sentence?

You can use it as a verb, such as "They chose to "defame" and "malign" his character", or as an adjective like "The policy had a "malign" effect on the local economy".

What is the difference between "malign" and "malignant"?

While both mean harmful, "malignant" is typically used for medical conditions or very aggressive forms of evil, whereas "malign" is more common for describing intentions or social influences.

What can I say instead of "malign"?

Depending on the context, you could use "slander", "malevolent", or "harmful".

Is "malign" a formal word?

Yes, "malign" is a relatively formal term that is frequently found in high-level journalism, academic papers and legal discussions regarding defamation.