v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Besmirched p. pr. & vb. n. Besmirching. ] To smirch or soil; to discolor; to obscure. Hence: To dishonor; to sully. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
(v) charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone, Syn. denigrate, asperse, slander, smear, besmirch, smirch, calumniate, sully, Example:The journalists have defamed me!; The article in the paper sullied my reputation