asperse vs defame

asperse and defame both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
asperse	No	No	Yes	No
defame	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, asperse and defame are synonyms defined as:

asperse and defame: charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone

Other synonyms of asperse include besmirch, calumniate, denigrate, slander, smear, smirch, sully.

asperse (verb)	defame (verb)
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone	charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone