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

Smirch, smirch, v.t. to besmear, dirty: to degrade in fame, dignity, &c.—n. a stain.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

"I thought the Smirch Society had staked out that claim," said Cam.

From Telempathy by Simonds, Vance