besmirch

[bih-smurch]

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verb (used with object)

to soil; tarnish; discolor.
to detract from the honor or luster of: to besmirch someone's good name.

Origin of besmirch

First recorded in 1590–1600; be- + smirch

Related formsbe·smirch·er, nounun·be·smirched, adjective

Synonyms for besmirch

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2. stain, tarnish, soil, blacken, dishonor, discredit, sully, besmear.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for besmirch

defile, slander, blacken, dishonor, smear, soil, stain, blot, smudge, discolor

Examples from the Web for besmirch

Contemporary Examples of besmirch

I hate to besmirch the reputation of an innocent dog, but a lot of time her personality is like a rabid pit bull.
Billy Sammeth, the Manager Fired by Cher and Joan Rivers, Tells His Side of the Story
Kevin Sessums
February 14, 2012
If anyone is working round the clock to besmirch the reputation of Pit Bulls it is Pit Bulls themselves.
Get Rid of Pit Bulls
Charles Leerhsen
March 12, 2010

Historical Examples of besmirch

Xenie, will you permit this man to besmirch the name of him whom God hath sent to you?
The Minister of Evil
William Le Queux
Also I want to besmirch the rich, by designating them by a slang expression.
Moral
Ludwig Thoma
It was too beautiful to risk or endanger or besmirch with any danger of scandal.
Excuse Me!
Rupert Hughes
She had nothing but her reputation, and I was about to besmirch it!
My Neighbor Raymond (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XI)
Charles Paul de Kock
I will idealise you until you besmirch yourself—but you are no child, to do that unknowingly.
The Barrier
Allen French

British Dictionary definitions for besmirch

besmirch

verb (tr)

to make dirty; soil
to reduce the brightness or lustre of
to sully (often in the phrase besmirch (a person's) name)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for besmirch

1590s, from be- + smirch.

Our Gayness and our Gilt are all besmyrcht. ["Henry V," IV.iii.110]

Related: Besmirched; besmirching.