1. having or showing a desire to cause harm to someone or something
Usage: formal

1. to speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner
Usage: formal

Examples

• The malign influence of the dictator spread throughout the country.
• She suspected malign forces were working against her success.
• His critics continued to malign his character in the press.
• The politician accused his opponents of trying to malign his reputation.
• The malign tumor required immediate surgical removal.
• Don’t malign someone’s efforts when you don’t know the full story.
• The malign spirit in the story haunted the old mansion.