Words / C1

m-uh-LYN/məˈlaɪn/

To malign is to say unpleasant and untrue things about someone: malign an officer, a malign rumour (also an adjective: evil). Defame (already in this course) is the close twin; “banter” is not an incident file.

Meaning

To say unpleasant and untrue things about someone; also evil in nature (adjective).

Examples

• “Corridor talk that maligns a night officer is an incident file, not “banter”.”
• “Slander is the spoken twin. Defame is already in this course. Banter is a slogan. A dated line is a file. Log the remark; save banter for the newsletter if the officer still consents.”

Good to know

Speak ill of; also evil. Close: defame (already in this course). “Banter” ≠ an incident log.

Near in meaning

slander, defame, smear

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