malign vs defame

malign is an adjective but defame is not an adjective.

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

As verbs, defame is a hypernym of malign; that is, defame is a word with a broader meaning than malign:

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

Other hypernyms of malign include asperse, besmirch, calumniate, denigrate, slander, smear, smirch, sully.

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

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