smirch vs denigrate

smirch is a noun but denigrate is not a noun.

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

As verbs, smirch and denigrate are synonyms defined as:

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

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

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

smirch (verb)	denigrate (verb)
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone	cause to seem less serious; play down
smear so as to make dirty or stained	charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone