sully

¹

[suhl-ee]

verb (used with object)

sullied, sullying 

1. to soil, stain, or tarnish.

   Synonyms: contaminate, blemish, taint

2. to mar the purity or luster of; defile.

   to sully a reputation.

   Synonyms: dishonor, disgrace, dirty

verb (used without object)

sullied, sullying 

1. to become sullied, soiled, or tarnished.

noun

plural

sullies 

1. Obsolete.,  a stain; soil.

Sully

²

[suhl-ee, sy-lee]

noun

1. Maximilien de Béthune Duc de, 1560–1641, French statesman.

2. Thomas, 1783–1872, U.S. painter, born in England.

sully

¹

/ ˈsʌlɪ /

verb

1. to stain or tarnish (a reputation, etc) or (of a reputation) to become stained or tarnished

noun

1. a stain

2. the act of sullying

Sully

²

/ sylli, ˈsʌlɪ /

noun

1. Maximilien de Béthune (maksimiljɛ̃ də betyn), Duc de Sully. 1559–1641, French statesman; minister of Henry IV. He helped restore the finances of France after the Wars of Religion

Other Word Forms

• sulliable adjective
• unsulliable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sully¹

First recorded in 1585–95; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of sully¹

C16: probably from French souiller to soil

Example Sentences

We will all be watching closely to see whether the event is sullied by New York fans who carry the reputation of being the most partisan of American sporting supporters.

From BBC

But his reputation as a darling of the progressive movement was sullied in 2022 when the New York Times published an expose detailing an alleged history of abusing women — accusations he has denied.

From Los Angeles Times

There are countertop devices that promise to scramble your egg inside the shell, so you never have to sully a whisk again.

From Salon

"Investors heard more explicit details regarding the Trump tariff agenda, which sullied the market mood somewhat."

From BBC

Introducing a two-tier system to the World Test Championship would be "greedy" and would "sully the game", says former England fast bowler Steven Finn.

From BBC

Related Words

• besmirch 
• blacken 
• corrupt 
• debase 
• defile 
• discolor 
• disgrace 
• dishonor 
• smear 
• smudge 
• taint 
• tar 
• tarnish