malign vs denigrate

malign is an adjective but denigrate is not an adjective.

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

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

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

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

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

malign (verb)	denigrate (verb)
speak unfavorably about	cause to seem less serious; play down
	charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone