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

See Examples For:

smirch

"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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

Typical of the things which smirch the character of Judge English, as they were brought forth by Congressmen: A bootlegger sentenced by Judge English to four months in jail paid Mr. Thomas $2,500.

From Time Magazine Archive

High Priest: John Thomas Taylor you be smirch with former association, making it appear that wrongs have been committed in the name of the Legion; that birds of a feather flock together.

From Time Magazine Archive

But as for you yourself, Zeb, all these long, hard years you've served faithfully and kept your record clean, and God forbid I should smirch it.

From Our Admirable Betty A Romance by Farnol, Jeffery