besmirch
[bih-smurch]
- to soil; tarnish; discolor.
- to detract from the honor or luster of: to besmirch someone's good name.
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Origin of besmirch
Synonyms for besmirch
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for besmirched
defile, slander, blacken, dishonor, smear, soil, stain, blot, smudge, discolorExamples from the Web for besmirched
Contemporary Examples of besmirched
He has a sense of honor and an instinct for revenge when he feels his honor has been besmirched.
Historical Examples of besmirched
He hinted to Robert that Susan's history was besmirched with shame.
A Handful of StarsFrank W. Boreham
The walls were bare and besmirched, and upon them were several mottoes and placards.
The QuestFrederik van Eeden
For as yet machinery and reeking factories had not besmirched the country-side.
Mary AnerleyR. D. Blackmore
These do fear lest they be besmirched by fellowship with the mean and ailing.
Star of MerciaBlanche Devereux
I know, mother, that the people's souls are foul and besmirched.
MotherMaksim Gorky
besmirch
- to make dirty; soil
- to reduce the brightness or lustre of
- to sully (often in the phrase besmirch (a person's) name)
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for besmirched
besmirch
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper