malign character

USAGE SUMMARY

'malign character' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person whose actions and influence are seen as having a malicious or evil intent. For example, "The malign character of the villain in the book made him a memorable, yet deeply disliked, figure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As the story develops, Evangeline's questions become more challenging as she begins to assert herself, provoking Frost into an aggressive outburst and revealing a malign character.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They imagined, that is, the sort of world that, in Hollywood, had been associated only with the most malign of evil characters.

Huffington Post

(updated below - Update II [Sun.]) One very common tactic for enforcing political orthodoxies is to malign the character, "style" and even mental health of those who challenge them.

The Guardian - Opinion

"All I can say is that the appropriate way to treat Senator Hagel is to be as tough as you want to be, but don't be disrespectful or malign his character," Mr. McCain said in an interview.

The New York Times

"It's curious that one of the ways they're trying to malign his character is to bring up things no governor of Ohio would have to deal with," Turner added. .

Huffington Post

When asked point blank if Trump went too far when he maligned the character of senator John McCain because he was captured during Vietnam, Pence said... well, nothing.

The Guardian

Karl Rove wrote in The Wall Street Journal that as his former boss departed, "in a last angry frenzy his critics again distorted his record, maligned his character and repeated untruths about his years in the Oval Office".

The New York Times

They've traumatized me, maligned my character, and stalked my social media activity for months.

Huffington Post

Some maligned my character or called my intentions misguided or naive.

Huffington Post

As my dad often had to deal with in his 2008 presidential campaign, any outside-the-box or unconventional thinking is either dismissed or used to malign one's character".

The New Yorker

But they wouldn't dare malign Muhammad's character, because they know that there would be serious repercussions.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "malign character" when you want to emphasize the harmful or evil nature of someone's personality or actions. It's stronger than simply saying someone is "bad".

Common error

Avoid using "malign character" in informal conversations. This expression is more appropriate for formal writing or when discussing serious topics. Use simpler terms like "bad influence" or "negative person" in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "malign character" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "malign" modifies the noun "character". It is used to describe someone or something possessing inherently evil or harmful traits. Ludwig AI highlights its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "malign character" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone or something with inherently evil or harmful traits. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While the word "malign" might seem formal, the phrase appears in varied contexts including News, Wiki, and Scientific domains. When writing, using related phrases like "evil character" or "harmful character" can offer nuanced alternatives. Avoid using this term in casual contexts, as it carries significant weight and is better suited for formal discussions. Using it appropriately will enrich your writing with precise expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evil character

Directly denotes the wickedness of the character.

malign nature

Highlights the inherent evil or harmful disposition.

malicious character

Stresses the intent to do harm or evil.

wicked character

Implies a strong moral failing or evil nature.

sinister character

Suggests a threatening or ominous presence.

pernicious character

Emphasizes the subtle and gradual harm caused.

deleterious character

Emphasizes the harmful effects of the character.

adverse character

Focuses on the opposing or unfavorable nature of the character.

harmful character

Highlights the capacity to cause damage or injury.

bad character

A more general term for someone with undesirable traits.

FAQs

How can I use "malign character" in a sentence?

You can say, "The novel's antagonist was portrayed as a person of "malign character", driven by a desire for power and control."

What are some synonyms for "malign character"?

Alternatives include "evil character", "sinister character", or "malicious character", each adding slightly different nuances.

Is it appropriate to describe a real person as having a "malign character"?

Describing someone as having a "malign character" is a serious accusation. Use this phrase carefully and only when there is clear evidence of harmful and unethical behavior.

What's the difference between a "malign character" and a "flawed character"?

A "malign character" implies intentional harm and evil intent. A "flawed character", on the other hand, simply has weaknesses or imperfections, without necessarily being malevolent.