Asperse is a verb meaning to criticize or speak ill of someone. It is often used in a malicious or unjustified way. DENIGRATE (9 letters) means to disparage or BELITTLE someone, while CHRISTEN (8 letters) means to name or baptize someone. BLACKEN (7 letters) means to make something dark or dirty, and SMEAR (5 letters) means to spread false or damaging information about someone. LIBEL (5 letters) is a written statement that damages someone's reputation, while DECRY (5 letters) means to express strong disapproval of something. DEPRECIATE (10 letters) means to reduce the value of something, while BELITTLE (8 letters) means to make someone or something seem unimportant. DEFAME (6 letters) means to damage someone's reputation, while TRADUCE (7 letters) means to speak badly of someone. SLANDER (7 letters) is a spoken statement that damages someone's reputation, while MALIGN (6 letters) means to speak ill of someone. Finally, SLUR (4 letters) means to make an insulting remark about someone.