defame vs calumniate

defame and calumniate both are verbs.

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

As verbs, defame and calumniate are synonyms defined as:

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

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

defame (verb)	calumniate (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