blackening Definition

tr & intr
1. To make or become black or very dark in colour. See also black verb 1.
2. To say something bad about them, or to attack their reputation, usually unfairly or untruthfully; to slander or libel them.

Thesaurus: dirty, sully, tarnish, slander, defame, calumniate, defile, denigrate, malign, traduce, vilify, besmirch; Antonym: enhance, praise.
Form: blacken someone's name (especially)