English is not my native language. I am confused about the usage of these four words: slander, defame, vilify, and calumniate.
They are all verbs with almost the same meaning and I don't have any ideas which one should I use in any situation. Are there any big differences in usage? For instance, is one more frequently used than the others? Are there any that are obsolete or not commonly used?
I am particularly interested in knowing if there are contextual differences in usage, like when someone says a bad thing to me in daily life, in business, or in any formal or informal situation. I would like to know how native English speakers use them.