maligned
Spoken ill of
Maligned means spoken ill of or unfairly criticized.
Something maligned has been given a bad reputation, often undeservedly: The much-maligned sequel actually holds up pretty well.
A maligned figure is one who has been attacked or disparaged: History has maligned her contributions.
The word carries a sense that the criticism may be unjust.
Damaged by false statements
- libeledDefamed in writing
- smearedSpread carelessly across
- vilifiedSpoke evil of
- denigratedCriticized unfairly, damaged reputation
disparaged · besmirched · tarnished · discredited · traduced · impugned · blackened · defamed
Treated with injustice
- victimizedTreated cruelly or unfairly
- scapegoatedMade to bear others' fault
- framedEnclosed or blamed falsely
- railroadedConvicted without due process
Incorrectly understood another's meaning
- misinterpretedUnderstood incorrectly
- misjudgedAssessed incorrectly
- misreadInterpret text incorrectly
- misrepresentedConveyed inaccurately or deceptively
stereotyped · undervalued · underestimated · overlooked · neglected · prejudged · oversimplified · pigeonholed
slandered
Damaged by false statements
denigrated · disparaged · besmirched · tarnished · discredited · traduced · impugned · blackened · defamed · mudslinging
wronged
Treated with injustice
- victimizedTreated cruelly or unfairly
- scapegoatedMade to bear others' fault
- framedEnclosed or blamed falsely
misconstrued
Incorrectly understood another's meaning
- misinterpretedUnderstood incorrectly
- misjudgedAssessed incorrectly
- misreadInterpret text incorrectly
misrepresented · stereotyped · undervalued · underestimated · overlooked · neglected · prejudged · oversimplified · pigeonholed · typecast
malignedpraised
Expressed approval of
celebrated · lauded · acclaimed · extolled · honored
maligneddefended
Shielded from harm
championed · vindicated · supported · rehabilitated · exonerated
- malignant tumorCancerous bodily growth
- malignant cellsHarmful, uncontrolled tissue growth
- malignant narcissismPathological self-love with cruelty
- malignant growthHarmful, spreading tumor
malign, malignant, malignity, maligning, malignancy, maligns, malignantly, malignance, malignancies