malign
definition
to speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner
example
Despite her attempts to ignore the rumors, she knew that her colleagues would malign her behind her back, spreading lies about her performance.
synonyms
slanderdefamevilify
word origin — The word 'malign' comes from the Middle French 'malin', meaning 'evil' or 'spiteful', which in turn originates from the Latin 'malignus', meaning 'wicked' or 'ill-natured'.