What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
maligning
Example
He was accused of maligning his colleague's character to get ahead in the company. [maligning: verb]
Example
The politician was the victim of a malicious campaign of maligning by his opponents. [maligning: gerund or present participle]
smear
Example
The tabloid newspaper published a smear campaign against the celebrity, accusing them of various scandals. [smear: noun]
Example
The politician was accused of smearing his opponent's reputation with false accusations. [smearing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Smear is more commonly used than maligning in everyday language, and it can be used in various contexts, including politics, media, and personal relationships.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between maligning and smear?
Maligning is typically associated with more formal or legal contexts, while smear can be used in both formal and informal settings.
