besmirch vs denigrate

besmirch and denigrate both are verbs.

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

As verbs, besmirch and denigrate are synonyms defined as:

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

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

besmirch (verb)	denigrate (verb)
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone	cause to seem less serious; play down
smear so as to make dirty or stained	charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone