sully
verb (used with object)
to soil, stain, or tarnish.
sullying
-
present participleof sully.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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.
As far back as the 1930s, during the infamous “Bodyline” tour, English bowlers were accused of sullying the game by aiming balls directly at Australian batsmen.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025
Maguire and his staff are hippie idealists, wary of sullying their political mission with trivialities like record reviews.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2025
"Without those answers any sceptical person would be worried that there might be some financial wrongdoing taking place and this would risk sullying the reputation of the Royal family," she added.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2025
The Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembène rendered myth a visual map that rescued the African past from the sullying grasp of empire.
From New York Times ● Sep. 8, 2023
Ifemelu said, her voice rising, and then she was sobbing, apologizing to Aunty Uju, her own guilt spreading and sullying her.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
