Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Maligned: meaning, definitions and examples

🗣️
Add to dictionary

maligned

 

[ məˈlaɪnd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

to speak ill

Maligned is the past tense of malign, which means to speak about someone in a critical or disparaging manner. It often involves making false or exaggerated claims that harm someone's reputation. People who are maligned may suffer emotional distress and social repercussions due to the hurtful words used against them. The action of maligning someone often stems from jealousy, misunderstanding, or personal grievances. In societal contexts, malignment can contribute to the spread of rumors and harmful stereotypes.

Synonyms

belittled, defamed, slandered, vilified.

Examples of usage

  • She was maligned by her colleagues at work.
  • The politician was maligned in the media for his controversial statements.
  • He felt maligned when his character was attacked online.
  • The public figure was often maligned by the press.

Translations

Translations of the word "maligned" in other languages:

🇵🇹 difamado

🇮🇳 बदनाम

🇩🇪 verleumdet

🇮🇩 dihujat

🇺🇦 підданий осуду

🇵🇱 oszczerżony

🇯🇵 中傷された

🇫🇷 diffamé

🇪🇸 difamado

🇹🇷 karalanmış

🇰🇷 비방당한

🇸🇦 مُشَوه

🇨🇿 ohrožený

🇸🇰 ohovorený

🇨🇳 被诽谤

🇸🇮 obsojen

🇮🇸 svarður

🇰🇿 қараланған

🇬🇪 ბრალდებული

🇦🇿 badnam

🇲🇽 difamado

Etymology

The word 'maligned' originated from the Middle English term 'malignen', which stems from the Latin 'malignari' meaning 'to speak evil of'. The prefix 'mal-' denotes 'bad' or 'ill', while 'gnus' connects to 'birth or origin', implying a negative origin or nature. Over time, the word evolved through various forms, retaining its essence of disparagement and negativity. By the early 17th century, it was commonly used in English literature to highlight the act of speaking negatively about others. The word carries connotations of moral judgment, suggesting that those who malign others do so from a place of malice or ill intent. Today, 'maligned' is frequently used in both personal and political contexts, reflecting not just criticism but also the damaging impact of such remarks on individuals and their reputations.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,148, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.