Maligner Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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maligner

[məˈlaɪndʒər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

medical

A person who pretends to be ill or disabled in order to avoid work or responsibility.

Synonyms

faker, malingerer, shirker.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
maligner	Used to describe someone who speaks ill of others or spreads false accusations. He was known as a maligner who constantly talked behind his colleagues' backs
malingerer	Refers to someone who pretends to be ill or injured to avoid work or responsibilities. The company had to deal with several malingerers who frequently called in sick without being actually ill
faker	Used for a person who pretends to be something or someone they are not, often for deceptive reasons. She was exposed as a faker when her fake credentials were discovered
shirker	Describes someone who avoids their duties or responsibilities, often in a lazy manner. He was labeled a shirker because he always found ways to avoid his share of the work

Examples of usage

He was caught faking his symptoms to get out of work, what a maligner!
She was labeled as a maligner after several doctors found no evidence of her alleged illness.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

general

A person who speaks ill of someone or something, often spreading false information or malicious gossip.

Synonyms

backbiter, defamer, slanderer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
maligner	This word is suitable for describing a person who speaks harmful and false things about others, typically with the intent of causing damage to someone's reputation. She accused him of being a maligner, always spreading lies about his colleagues.
defamer	Ideal for formal contexts, 'defamer' refers to someone who intentionally spreads false statements that damage another person's reputation. The politician sued the defamer for spreading untrue stories about his personal life.
slanderer	This word is appropriate in both legal and everyday scenarios to describe someone who makes false spoken statements that damage a person's reputation. The slanderer was taken to court for making false accusations against his neighbor.
backbiter	Use 'backbiter' when referring to someone who speaks ill of others behind their back, often in a deceitful or covert manner. He always seemed friendly, but we later learned he was a backbiter, criticizing us when we weren't around.

Examples of usage

Don't believe everything she says, she's known to be a maligner and twist the truth.
The internet is full of maligners who hide behind anonymity to spread lies and negativity.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

In law, maligning someone can lead to defamation claims if false statements are made that harm a person's reputation.
Defamation is divided into slander (spoken) and libel (written), both of which can involve maligners creating false narratives.
Maligning others in a public space can result in serious legal repercussions, especially if the statements can be proven false.

Psychology

Maligning behavior can stem from jealousy or insecurity, as individuals may harm others to elevate their own self-image.
People who are frequently maligned may experience stress, anxiety, and depression as a result of social ostracism.
Understanding the psychological motivations behind maligning can help in addressing bullying and improving social dynamics.

Cultural Impact

In various cultures, public shaming through maligning is viewed negatively and can lead to social ostracism for the maligners themselves.
Social media has amplified the reach of maligning behaviors, leading to a rise in 'cancel culture' where individuals face backlash based on false narratives.
Literature and film often explore themes of maligning, showcasing its destructive potential on relationships and communities.

Media Portrayals

The phenomenon of maligning features heavily in reality television, where characters often engage in gossip and slander for entertainment.
Many classic novels explore the consequences of maligning, showing how rumors can destroy lives and relationships.
In news media, the balance between information and sensationalism can result in the maligning of public figures, impacting their careers.

Origin of 'maligner'

Main points about word origin

The word 'maligner' is derived from the Latin 'malignari', which means 'to speak evil of'.
The prefix 'mal-' means 'bad' or 'evil', indicating the harmful nature of the actions associated with this term.
The root of the word connects to broader terms like 'malicious' and 'malice', emphasizing a negative intent.

The word 'maligner' originated from the French word 'malingre', meaning sickly. Over time, it evolved to describe a person who pretends to be sick or disabled. The term expanded to include those who spread false information or speak ill of others. Maligners have been viewed negatively throughout history for their deceitful behavior.