adj.
Function: verb
to speak evil of for the purpose of injuring and without regard for the truth FF1C; the candidates increasingly maligned each other as the campaign degenerated FF1E;
Synonyms: asperse, befoul, bespatter, blacken, calumniate, defame, denigrate, libel, ||scandal, scandalize, slander, slur, smear, spatter, tear down, traduce, vilify, villainize
Related Words: decry, depreciate, derogate, detract, disparage; opprobriate, revile, vituperate; backbite, besmirch, defile, pollute, smirch, soil, stain, sully, taint, tarnish
Idioms: blow upon, cast aspersion(s) on ( or upon)
Contrasted Words: acclaim, applaud, eulogize, extol, laud, praise; defend, justify, maintain, vindicate