malign
/məˈlaɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /məˈlaɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /mə-ˈlīn/ (ame, mw)
malign — adjective
- malignpositive
- more maligncomparative
- most malignsuperlative
1. having a harmful or evil character, often with the deliberate aim of causing inj
having a harmful or evil character, often with the deliberate aim of causing injury, distress, or damage to others.
The old legend spoke of a malign spirit that haunted the forest near the village.
common collocation: malign spirit / malign influence / malign intent
Doctors found no evidence of malign cells in the latest biopsy results.
medical register: malign cells
The journalist argued that unchecked corporate power can have a malign influence on democratic institutions.
Wei wondered whether his colleague's silence was a sign of malign intent or simple forgetfulness.
The committee warned that the new policy could have a malign effect on low-income families.
- malevolent
stronger emphasis on personal ill will or desire to harm others
- malicious
more personal, often describing deliberate nastiness toward a specific person
- harmful
broader and less formal; can describe any cause of damage, not just intentional evil
- benign
gentle or harmless in nature; the direct opposite in medical and figurative contexts
- benevolent
kindly and well-meaning, especially of people or institutions
文法句型
malign + noun (attributive)
用法筆記
Often used of abstract forces, influences, or supernatural entities rather than concrete objects. More formal and literary than 'harmful' or 'bad'.
常見錯誤
malign — verb
- malignpresent simple I / you / we / they
- malignshe / she / it
- malignedpast simple
- maligning-ing form
1. to make unfair or untrue statements about someone with the intention of damaging
to make unfair or untrue statements about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation.
The politician claimed his opponents were trying to malign his character before the election.
transitive pattern: malign + character / reputation
Amara felt the newspaper article unfairly maligned the entire community.
adverb collocation: unfairly maligned
Historians have since argued that the biography maligned a dedicated public servant.
No one should malign a colleague simply because they hold different opinions.
The journalist was accused of trying to malign the senator by publishing unverified claims.
文法句型
malign + noun (person / institution / reputation)
用法筆記
Frequently found in political and media contexts where reputation is at stake. Carries a stronger connotation of deliberate falsehood than 'criticize' — the speaker is assumed to be knowingly unfair or dishonest.