sully
verb (used with object)
to soil, stain, or tarnish.
has sullied
-
present perfectof sully (3rd person singular).present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There is no doubt that the crackdown has sullied the image of the president.
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2024
The scandal has sullied the Olympic brand and has forced the northern Japanese city of Sapporo to reconsider its bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 20, 2023
“I think he has sullied what the office is,” Bednarz said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 17, 2022
Alternating between Malay and English, he pledged to stamp out the corruption that has sullied Malaysian politics in recent years and expressed gratitude to the supporters who have stood by him over decades.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 24, 2022
Nothing vulgar has sullied them; and in this respect life has been truly domesticated.
From Memoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli, Volume II by Fuller, Margaret
