Malign
Malign verb - To make untrue and harmful statements about.
Usage example: a candidate who believes that it is possible to win an election without maligning anyone
Smear is a synonym for malign in defame topic. In some cases you can use "Smear" instead the word "Malign" as a verb or a noun, when it comes to topics like slander, discredit, disparage. popular alternative
Smear
Smear verb - To make untrue and harmful statements about.
Usage example: he is willing to smear his opponent if doing so would win the election
Malign is a synonym for smear in sully topic. You can use "Malign" instead the word "Smear" as a verb or an adjective, if it concerns topics such as slander, discredit, tarnish a reputation. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Cite this Source
Smear and Malign. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/malign/smear
Malign & Smear. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/malign/smear>.
Smear or Malign. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/malign/smear.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "malign" and "smear" have occurred on timeline