besmirch Definition
- 1damage the reputation of (someone or something) in the opinion of others
- 2make (something) dirty or discoloured
Using besmirch: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "besmirch" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He was accused of trying to besmirch the good name of his opponent.
Example
The scandal besmirched the reputation of the company.
Example
The mud on his shoes besmirched the clean carpet.
Example
The graffiti besmirched the wall of the building.
besmirch Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with besmirch
besmirch someone's character/reputation
to damage the reputation of someone
Example
The newspaper article besmirched his character and he lost his job.
Example
The accusations besmirched his honor and he was forced to resign.
Example
The rumors besmirched her name and she had to move to a different city.
Origins of besmirch
from be- 'thoroughly' + smirch, from Old English 'smeorcian' meaning 'to smoke'
Summary: besmirch in Brief
The verb 'besmirch' [bɪˈsməːtʃ] means to damage the reputation of someone or something in the opinion of others, or to make something dirty or discoloured. It is often used in formal contexts and can be synonymous with 'sully' or 'tarnish'. Examples include 'The scandal besmirched the reputation of the company' and 'The graffiti besmirched the wall of the building.'
