defame, slander, smirch, asperse, denigrate, calumniate, smear, sully, besmirch

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"

• assassinate — destroy or damage seriously, as of someone's reputation
• libel — make slanderous statements against
• badmouth, malign, traduce, drag through the mud — speak unfavorably about

• charge, accuse — blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against