besmirch

[ bih-smurch ]

/ bɪˈsmɜrtʃ /

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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.

Nearby words

Origin of besmirch

First recorded in 1590–1600; be- + smirch

SYNONYMS FOR besmirch

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

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR besmirch ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Love was too fine and noble, and he was too loyal a lover for him to besmirch love with criticism.
Martin Eden|Jack London
He writhed under this new inquisition which displayed a tendency to besmirch his reputation.
The Triumph of Virginia Dale|John Francis, Jr.

Thus, desirous to hide his cruelty, he chose rather to besmirch his friend than to bring disgrace on his own head.
The Danish History, Books I-IX|Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Learned")
Voltaire was the first to besmirch the spotless reputation of Mlle. Raucourt.
Later Queens of the French Stage|H. Noel Williams
Do honest men, believing in themselves, besmirch their own honor by deliberate lying?
My Attainment of the Pole|Frederick A. Cook

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for besmirch