Word to describe a type of slander

[Ralphgoo]

I am looking for help in selecting a proper word. Here is my question:
What word would best describe the act of slowly making someone to be looked poorly upon?

For me the word slander comes to mind, but it is not proper because it requires words to be spoken. I am looking for a different type of slander or character assasination. the slander?

For example suppose a person named Jake Hitler frequently implied that his neighbor St. Francis had horrible breath. Jake would never utter the words "Bad breath" to anyone, but whenever he could in social situations, he would in various ways imply that St. Francis's breath was horrible? Jake Hitler would carry this out cleverly for months, and do it so well that other neigbors began to believe that St. Francis had horrible breath. (Even though he St. Francis had breath smelled very good?) And so even thought Jake Hitler never uttered the words "Bad breath" he effectively
convinced 98% of the people that St. Francis had bad breath.
I believe the word "Character assasination" would be too strong. Perhaps someone could offer a word of series of words that could best describe what I am talking about?

[Unobet]

Would you take a vacation that is centered around a sporting event?

[Milanya]

abuse, accuse, asperse, backbite, bad-mouth, befoul, besmirch, bespatter, blacken, calumniate, cast aspersion, curse, decry, defile, denigrate, depreciate, derogate, detract, disparage, insult, malign,misrepresent, mudsling, opprobriate, pollute, rap, revile, roast, run down, scandalize, slander, slur, smear, soil, spatter, speak ill of, stain, sully, taint, take a swipe at, tarnish, tear down, traduce, vilify, villainize, vituperate
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con·text - The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning.

[Alan]

Hi Ralphgoo,

I would suggest that an expression like 'casting aspersions on' followed by 'someone' or what what they have done. Another expression is: make derogatory remarks about someone'. Both these expressions are aimed belittling someone. The remarks are made in the sense of innuendo or indirect references.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Gkukreti]

Great information professor! Thanks Ralphgoo. :idea: