əˈspɜːs əˈspɝs bɨˈlɪt.əl bɪˈsmɜːtʃ bɪˈsmɝːtʃ kəˈlʌmni.eɪt dɪˈfeɪm ˈdɛn.ɪ.ɡɹeɪt ˈdɛɹəɡeɪt ˈmɪn.ɪ.maɪz ˈmɪn.ɨ.maɪz ˈslɑːndə ˈslændɚ smɪə smɪɚ ˈsʌli

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 cause to seem less serious; play down Don't belittle his influence