defame vs sully

defame and sully both are verbs.

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

As verbs, defame and sully are synonyms defined as:

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

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

defame (verb)	sully (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
	make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
	place under suspicion or cast doubt upon