defame vs malign

defame is not an adjective while malign is an adjective.

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

As verbs, malign is a hyponym of defame; that is, malign is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than defame:

defame: charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
malign: speak unfavorably about

Other hyponyms of defame include assassinate, libel, badmouth, drag through the mud, traduce.

defame (adjective)	malign (adjective)
	evil or harmful in nature or influence
	having or exerting a malignant influence

defame (verb)	malign (verb)
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone	speak unfavorably about