denigrate vs calumniate

denigrate and calumniate both are verbs.

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

As verbs, denigrate and calumniate are synonyms defined as:

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

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

denigrate (verb)	calumniate (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