defame

/di-ˈfām/

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French deffamer, diffamer, from Medieval Latin defamare, alteration of Latin diffamare, from dis- + fama reputation, fame

verb

  1. to harm the reputation of by communicating false statements about : to harm the reputation of by libel or slander

  2. accuse

  3. disgrace

defamed her character

malign traduce asperse vilify calumniate defame slander mean to injure by speaking ill of. malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying. traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.