defame vs denigrate

defame and denigrate both are verbs.

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

As verbs, defame and denigrate are synonyms defined as:

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

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

defame (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