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.

“But he said arguments spoil its beauty, and that he would feel as if he was dirtying a flower with muddy hands.”

From New York Times • Apr. 6, 2022

Maybe some seedlings had not been planted into their underwater beds properly, or perhaps our pig was eating the wrong kind of garbage, or maybe one of our chickens was dirtying our doorway.

From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep

Even then he might be arrested for arson and accused of maliciously overworking the poor firemen; or hygienists would say he was dirtying the air with smoke, and thus murdering those compelled to breathe it.

From The Scrap Book, Volume 1, No. 3 May 1906 by Various

The purport of this piece of after-dinner eloquence was duly conveyed to Counsellor Webb, who fully appreciated the remarks about the popularity-hunting gentleman who was dirtying his hands.

From The Macdermots of Ballycloran by Trollope, Anthony