besmirch

[bih-smurch]

verb (used with object)

1. to soil; tarnish; discolor.

2. to detract from the honor or luster of.

   to besmirch someone's good name.

   Synonyms: besmear, sully, discredit, dishonor, blacken, soil, tarnish, stain

besmirch

/ bɪˈsmɜːtʃ /

verb

1. to make dirty; soil

2. to reduce the brightness or lustre of

3. to sully (often in the phrase besmirch ( a person's ) name )

Other Word Forms

• besmircher noun
• unbesmirched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of besmirch¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; be- + smirch

Example Sentences

There was also criticism from the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang'ula, who said the aim of the documentary was to "besmirch" Kenya.

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With that behavior he besmirches not just the actual Oval Office but the very idea of the office of the president of the United States.

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It is no coincidence that he publicly labels Ukraine's leadership "Nazis" as a means of besmirching them in Russian eyes.

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"It is an unadulterated lie because it tries to besmirch the very DNA of a new South Africa that was born under the leadership of someone like Nelson Mandela," he told the BBC World Service.

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"What happened thereafter has besmirched the unsuspecting town of Kidwelly," he said.

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Related Words

• blacken 
• defile 
• dishonor 
• slander 
• smear 
• smirch