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

And the terrorist Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responsible for much of the country’s malign behavior now has a tighter grip on its government than ever. — Jason Willick, Washington Post, 19 June 2026 Thomas’s account of Progressivism as a malign force threatening individual liberty echoes an argument developed by scholars at the conservative Claremont Institute. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 May 2026

Verb

Or maybe England’s much maligned Bukayo Saka shaking off early struggles to finish with a hat trick? — Sergio Gonzalez, New York Times, 19 July 2026 Naturally, Orr grew up rooting against Kansas whenever the schools met and was much maligned by his peers for it. — Latif Love july 16, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for malign

Recent Examples of Synonyms for malign

Adjective

The company wants advanced cybersecurity models to strengthen digital defenses by helping security teams identify and fix vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026
Their job is to hack devices and patch exploits before malicious actors do.

— Justyn Newman, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 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

Several celebrities and their PR teams have denounced Hilton for his vicious public insults, including Khloe Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, and Lady Gaga, a former friend of Hilton.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
The prequel details the vicious battle between former friends Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) for the Iron Throne and its subsequent reverberations.

— Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of vicious

Verb

That is enough for them, no matter the facts or context, to side with the Black lesbian woman and vilify the straight white one.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
But the backlash against pandemic responses, including vaccine mandates, led to the vaccines and mRNA technology being vilified by some and becoming the focus of widespread misinformation.

— Rob Stein, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of vilify

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“Malign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malign. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of malign

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