asperse vs denigrate

asperse and denigrate both are verbs.

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

As verbs, asperse and denigrate are synonyms defined as:

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

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

asperse (verb)	denigrate (verb)
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone	cause to seem less serious; play down
	charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone