malignment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "malignment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of speaking ill of someone or something, often in a harmful or slanderous way. Example: "The malignment of her character in the media was both unfair and damaging to her reputation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sinn Féin, which is straining to keep its anti-austerity policies north and south of the border in alignment, warned of an impending crisis that could "engulf the political institutions" of Northern Ireland.

The Guardian

Or is it political, an alignment with Ukip?

The Guardian

The town was the last and largest, and by far the most resolutely modern, of the postwar new towns – though it has some surprisingly romantic features, such as the alignment of Midsummer Boulevard, and the shopping centre itself, with the sunrise on the summer solstice.

The Guardian - Arts

The political Treasury and the official Treasury were in alignment.

The Guardian

But a great many Indigenous people disagree with him and believe his close alignment with Abbott is a dramatic, personally risky, strategic error.

The Guardian - Opinion

Trigg's statement late last week that Malthouse had gone "off message" in airing the club's dirty laundry was followed today by talk of a "values-based approach", "stakeholders", "alignment" and again, "messaging", corporate jargon better left on PowerPoint slides than offered up as excuses to frustrated football fans.

The Guardian - Sport

It seemed to me of critical importance that no one was in any doubt of the Treasury's position, by which I mean the political and official Treasury, the fact that there was complete alignment.

The Guardian

"We need better alignment with the way people spend their time," Dr Garnsey said.

The Guardian

But affection and alignment are not the same.On a trip to Berlin ahead of Mrs Merkel's visit, your columnist garnered a sobering sense of what Germany might actually be willing to undertake to save Mr Cameron's rosy face.

The Economist

Fines are frequently used to fund government budgets; and many a political career has been launched on the back of a high-profile deal, without the need to prove allegations in court.This cosy alignment of incentives worries some.

The Economist

In practice, the alignment of interests is imperfect.Equity-related pay schemes tempt managers to seek to boost the share price in the short term, giving them the chance to cash out their stakes, to the detriment of the company and its shareholders in the long run.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger or more common synonyms like "defamation" or "vilification" to ensure clarity and impact, as "malignment" is less frequently used.

Common error

Avoid using "malignment" when the intention is to describe simple disagreement or criticism. It specifically refers to harmful and often untrue statements aimed at damaging someone's reputation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "malignment" is as a noun, denoting the act of maligning something. Although Ludwig provides few examples, its dictionary definition confirms it functions as a noun synonymous with vilification or smear.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "malignment" is a grammatically correct noun that refers to the act of maligning or defaming someone. However, it's a relatively uncommon word, and synonyms like "defamation" or "vilification" are often preferred for clarity and impact. Ludwig's analysis indicates the term is valid but infrequent, with no specific usage patterns identified in the provided examples. Therefore, when choosing to use "malignment", consider the context and whether a more common synonym would be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vilification

Refers to the act of making malicious and defamatory statements about someone.

defamation

Concerns the act of damaging the good reputation of someone, either verbally or in writing.

slander

Specifically refers to spoken defamation.

libel

Specifically refers to written or published defamation.

calumny

Implies false and malicious statements designed to harm someone's reputation.

denigration

The act of criticizing someone unfairly; disparagement.

aspersion

An attack on the integrity or reputation of someone.

traducement

The action of exposing someone to shame or disgrace by misrepresentation.

disparagement

Speaking of someone or something in a negative way; belittling.

character assassination

A deliberate and sustained effort to ruin the reputation of a person.

FAQs

What does "malignment" mean?

"Malignment" refers to the act of maligning or defaming someone, typically involving false or misleading statements that damage their reputation. It's similar to "vilification" or "defamation".

When should I use "malignment" in a sentence?

Use "malignment" when you want to emphasize the act of maliciously misrepresenting someone or something. However, consider using more common synonyms like "slander" or "libel" for better clarity.

What are some alternatives to "malignment"?

Alternatives to "malignment" include "vilification", "defamation", "slander", "libel", and "character assassination", depending on the specific context and intention.

Is "malignment" a commonly used word?

No, "malignment" is not a commonly used word. Terms like "defamation" or "vilification" are more frequently used and generally better understood.