Synonyms:
defame, slander, smirch, asperse, denigrate, calumniate, smear, sully, besmirch
Meaning: 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"
Usage examples
So Sir Tristram made great moan and was ashamed that noble knights should defame him for the sake of his lady.
"It has now been fashionable, for near half a century, to defame and vilify the house of Stuart and, to exalt and magnify the reign of Elizabeth.