Besmirch (Verb)
Meaning 1
Charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone; "The journalists have defamed me!"; "The article in the paper sullied my reputation".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- She deliberately sought to besmirch her rival's character in an attempt to win the election.
- No one had the right to besmirch his good name after all the hard work and dedication he put in.
- The politician tried to clear his name after rumors began to besmirch his reputation.
- False accusations were made against him, which seriously tried to besmirch his professional integrity.
- The media sensationalism seemed to be an attempt to besmirch the celebrity's sterling reputation.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Meaning 2
Smear so as to make dirty or stained.
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The mud splattered on the floor and began to besmirch the newly polished shoes.
- She was frustrated when her dirty fingers started to besmirch the clean paper.
- After the paint spill, the floor was quick to besmirch the white socks.
- Someone's dirty hands had managed to besmirch an almost immaculate work of art.
- Grime from the old windows began to besmirch the pale curtains over time.