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
"I think it's greedy - monetising something that is so pure like Test cricket feels like it is sullying the game. It just doesn't sit right with me."
From BBC ● Jan. 7, 2025
Dismayed by the trash sullying the river that the mosque sits on, he ordered a cleanup.
From New York Times ● Apr. 17, 2024
But that doesn’t mean this team’s shortcomings aren’t sullying the summer for its most ardent supporters.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 28, 2023
I had a vision of anger spreading through me like a malignant tumor, sullying the best hours of my life and rendering me incapable of tenderness or mercy.
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
