besmirch
to soil; tarnish; discolor.
to detract from the honor or luster of: to besmirch someone's good name.
Origin of besmirch
1Other words for besmirch
Other words from besmirch
- be·smirch·er, noun
- un·be·smirched, adjective
Words Nearby besmirch
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use besmirch in a sentence
While Couric included some of Ginsburg’s criticism in the finished product, she decided to leave out that particular barb, concerned that it would besmirch the reputation of someone she was a “fan” of.
Here are the juiciest parts of Katie Couric’s new tell-all book | | October 18, 2021 | Washington PostBefore Sullivan, states maintained strict libel laws in an attempt to protect individuals’ reputations in their community from being besmirched unfairly.
A major Supreme Court First Amendment decision could be at risk | Samantha Barbas | July 13, 2021 | Washington PostAnd I would never besmirch her reputation by suggesting that she had.
The Dangers of Trusting Wikipedia With Your Life | Michael Moynihan | April 2, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTI 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 | THE DAILY BEASTIf anyone is working round the clock to besmirch the reputation of Pit Bulls it is Pit Bulls themselves.
His Pucelle is a diabolical attempt to besmirch the pure character of Joan of Arc.
The War Upon Religion | Rev. Francis A. CunninghamI will idealise you until you besmirch yourself—but you are no child, to do that unknowingly.
The Barrier | Allen FrenchShe had remained silent that she might not besmirch her father's name, and also, perhaps, that she might protect the other woman.
The Holladay Case | Burton E. StevensonSoil it—yes; besmirch it, render it superficially unclean, unfit, nauseous—yes.
The Younger Set | Robert W. ChambersHe had come to Italy to redeem the name of the house of Gobignon, not besmirch it further.
The Saracen: The Holy War | Robert Shea
British Dictionary definitions for besmirch
/ (bɪˈsmɜːtʃ) /
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
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