malign vs slander

malign is not a noun while slander is a noun.

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

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

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

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

malign (noun)	slander (noun)
	an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
	words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another

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

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