1. to speak about someone or something in a way that causes harm to their reputation; to slander or defame
Usage: third person singular present tense of ‘malign’

Examples

• The politician maligns his opponent with false accusations.
• She constantly maligns her former employer in interviews.
• The article maligns the company’s safety record unfairly.
• He maligns anyone who disagrees with his views.
• The gossip columnist maligns celebrities for profit.
• Don’t malign someone’s character without evidence.