malign vs smirch

malign is not a noun while smirch is a noun.

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

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

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

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

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

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

malign (verb)	smirch (verb)
speak unfavorably about	charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
	smear so as to make dirty or stained