denigrate vs smirch

denigrate is not a noun while smirch is a noun.

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

As verbs, denigrate and smirch are synonyms defined as:

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

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

denigrate (noun)	smirch (noun)
	an act that brings discredit to the person who does it
	a blemish made by dirt

denigrate (verb)	smirch (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