[n] an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
[n] words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
[v] charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone; "The journalists have defamed me!" "The article in the paper sullied my reputation"
Synonyms
asperse, aspersion, besmirch, calumniate, calumny, defamation, defame, denigrate, denigration, smear, smirch, sully