malign

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In 1979 Americans immediately felt the malign effects of that year’s Islamic revolution, which replaced the autocratic but modernizing Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi with the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, previously said the arrests were part of "a long-running investigation" and "ongoing work to disrupt malign activity where we suspect it".

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Dictators, autocrats and other malign actors strategically use humor as a type of diminutive to minimize their real intent and to distract the public and media.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2026

In this case, the risks of re-traumatization or other malign mental health impacts would be much higher.

From Slate • Dec. 18, 2025

“It's one thing to accuse me of laziness. But to malign the good name of America's greatest television judge—that's below the belt.”

From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green