calumniate vs denigrate

calumniate and denigrate both are verbs.

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

As verbs, calumniate and denigrate are synonyms defined as:

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

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

calumniate (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