defame vs besmirch

defame and besmirch both are verbs.

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

As verbs, defame and besmirch are synonyms defined as:

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

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

defame (verb)	besmirch (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
	smear so as to make dirty or stained