defame

1 to make untrue and harmful statements about of course I want to win the election, but I refuse to defame my opponent in order to do so Synonyms asperse, blacken, calumniate, slander, libel, malign, smear, traduce, vilifyRelated Words belittle, denigrate, detract, disparage; discredit, disgrace, dishonor, shame; abase, debase, degrade, humble, humiliate; disdain, scornNear Antonyms exalt, glorify, honor; acclaim, applaud, commend, praise; esteem, respect; admire, regard; adore, revere, venerate, worship

2 archaic  to make a claim of wrongdoing against so the harmless old woman was defamed of witchcraft Synonyms charge, criminate, accuse [archaic], impeach, incriminate, indictRelated Words blame, call (on), castigate, censure, condemn, criticize, damn, denounce, fault, impugn, reproach, reprobate; chide, rebuke, reprove, tax; appeal, arraign, book, cite, summon; prosecute, sue, try; frame, implicate, inculpate, inform (against), name, report; recriminate, retaliateNear Antonyms advocate, champion, defend; excuse, forgive, justify, pardon, remit, shriveAntonyms absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate