smirch

American  

[smurch] / smɜrtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to discolor or soil; spot or smudge with or as with soot, dust, dirt, etc.

   Synonyms:

   dirty, smut, smear

   Antonyms:

   clean

2. to sully or tarnish (a person, reputation, character, etc.); disgrace; discredit.

   Synonyms:

   blot, taint

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noun

1. a dirty mark or smear, as of soot, dust, dirt, etc.

   Synonyms:

   smutch, smut, smudge

2. a stain or blot, as on reputation.

   Synonyms:

   taint

smirch British  

/ smɜːtʃ /

verb

1. to dirty; soil

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noun

1. the act of smirching or state of being smirched

2. a smear or stain

Other Word Forms

• smircher noun
• smirchless adjective
• unsmirched adjective

Etymology

Origin of smirch

First recorded in 1485–95; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

"It's a smirch that never goes away.... If you dedicated yourself to serving the good, how would you cope with that?"

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2014

All the House is asked to do," said Representative Graham, "and all it is bound to do is to say in effect to Judge English: 'Here are things which smirch your ermine.

From Time Magazine Archive

The junior Senator, forgiving the smirch, would embrace and redeem.

From Time Magazine Archive

This record is stained by but one smirch: a year ago a painter succeeded in executing a work which the Society felt it was unable to present.

From Time Magazine Archive

Not content with wreaking your unfilial spite against your own father who begat you, you must smirch the good name of a lady who has always loaded you with kindness.

From Peter Binney A Novel by Marshall, Archibald