defame vs asperse

defame and asperse both are verbs.

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

As verbs, defame and asperse are synonyms defined as:

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

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

defame (verb)	asperse (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