denigrate vs besmirch

denigrate and besmirch both are verbs.

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

As verbs, denigrate and besmirch are synonyms defined as:

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

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

denigrate (verb)	besmirch (verb)
cause to seem less serious; play down	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