What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
besmirched
Example
His reputation was besmirched after the scandal broke. [besmirched: past participle]
Example
The politician's opponents tried to besmirch his good name with false accusations. [besmirch: verb]
sully
Example
The scandal sullied his previously untarnished reputation. [sullied: past participle]
Example
He didn't want to sully his hands by getting involved in the corrupt business dealings. [sully: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sully is more commonly used than besmirched in everyday language. Sully is versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while besmirched is less common and specifically refers to the tarnishing of a person's reputation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between besmirched and sully?
While besmirched is slightly more formal, sully has a slightly more casual tone. Both words can be used in various formality levels, but besmirched is more commonly associated with formal or written contexts.
