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besmirch
[ bih-smurch ]
/ bɪˈsmɜrtʃ /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used with object)
to soil; tarnish; discolor.
to detract from the honor or luster of: to besmirch someone's good name.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
OTHER WORDS FROM besmirch
be·smirch·er, nounun·be·smirched, adjectiveWords nearby besmirch
Beskids, Beslan, slated for, be, beslobber, besmear, besmirch, Besnier-Boeck-Schaumann disease, sold on, be, besom, besom pocket, besot
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use besmirch in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for besmirch
besmirch
/ (bɪˈsmɜːtʃ) /
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
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