smirch vs defame

smirch is a noun but defame is not a noun.

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

As verbs, smirch and defame are synonyms defined as:

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

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

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

smirch (verb)	defame (verb)
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