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Malign vs Mistaken - What's the difference?

malign | mistaken |

As adjectives the difference between malign and mistaken

is that malign is evil or malignant in disposition, nature, intent or influence while mistaken is erroneous.

As verbs the difference between malign and mistaken

is that malign is to make defamatory statements about; to slander or traduce while mistaken is .

malign

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • evil or malignant in disposition, nature, intent or influence.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • Witchcraft may be by operation of malign spirits.
  • malevolent.
  • * 1891 -
    • He was sure they [the stars] were arranged in some order which had a secret and malign significance.
  • (oncology) malignant
    • a malign ulcer
    (Francis Bacon)

    Related terms

    * malignant

    Antonyms

    * benign

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make defamatory statements about; to slander or traduce.
  • * South
    • To be envied and shot at; to be maligned standing, and to be despised falling.
  • (archaic) To treat with malice; to show hatred toward; to abuse; to wrong.
  • * Spenser
    • The people practice what mischiefs and villainies they will against private men, whom they malign by stealing their goods, or murdering them.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Anagrams

    * * English transitive verbs

    mistaken

    English

    Verb

    (head)
    • I'm frequently mistaken for my brother.

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Erroneous.
    • This is a clear case of mistaken identity.
  • Having an incorrect belief.
    • I think you must be mistaken .
    He admitted he was mistaken about the budget numbers.

    Usage notes

    * The phrase (and variations) is used to indicate that one is uncertain about something one has said. * Nouns to which (term) is often applied: identity, belief, notion, view, assumption, impression, idea, thinking, identification, diagnosis, interpretation, person, opinion, conclusion, judgment, conception, perception, theory, reading, concept.

    Derived terms

    * mistaken identity

    Anagrams

    * English adjectives ending in -en English irregular past participles