Besmirch
to soil; tarnish; discolor.
to detract from the honor or luster of:
to besmirch someone’s good name.
Contemporary Examples
If anyone is working round the clock to besmirch the reputation of Pit Bulls it is Pit Bulls themselves.
Get Rid of Pit Bulls Charles Leerhsen March 11, 2010
I hate to besmirch the reputation of an innocent dog, but a lot of time her personality is like a rabid pit bull.
Billy Sammeth, the Manager Fired by Cher and Joan Rivers, Tells His Side of the Story Kevin Sessums February 13, 2012
Historical Examples
Do honest men, believing in themselves, besmirch their own honor by deliberate lying?
My Attainment of the Pole Frederick A. Cook
Xenie, will you permit this man to besmirch the name of him whom God hath sent to you?
The Minister of Evil William Le Queux
It was too beautiful to risk or endanger or besmirch with any danger of scandal.
Excuse Me! Rupert Hughes
Also I want to besmirch the rich, by designating them by a slang expression.
Moral Ludwig Thoma
But Diaz cares immensely about the fair name of Mexico, which they knew they had done for years all they could to besmirch.
The American Egypt Channing Arnold
She had nothing but her reputation, and I was about to besmirch it!
My Neighbor Raymond (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XI) Charles Paul de Kock
Thus, desirous to hide his cruelty, he chose rather to besmirch his friend than to bring disgrace on his own head.
The Danish History, Books I-IX Saxo Grammaticus (“Saxo the Learned”)
Love was too fine and noble, and he was too loyal a lover for him to besmirch love with criticism.
Martin Eden Jack London
verb (transitive)
to make dirty; soil
to reduce the brightness or lustre of
to sully (often in the phrase besmirch (a person’s) name)
v.
1590s, from be- + smirch.
Our Gayness and our Gilt are all besmyrcht. [“Henry V,” IV.iii.110]
Related: Besmirched; besmirching.
Read Also:
- Be soft on someone
yielding readily to touch or pressure; easily penetrated, divided, or changed in shape; not hard or stiff: a soft pillow. relatively deficient in hardness, as metal or wood. smooth and agreeable to the touch; not rough or coarse: a soft fabric; soft skin. producing agreeable sensations; pleasant or comfortable: soft slumber. low or subdued in […]
- Soft
yielding readily to touch or pressure; easily penetrated, divided, or changed in shape; not hard or stiff: a soft pillow. relatively deficient in hardness, as metal or wood. smooth and agreeable to the touch; not rough or coarse: a soft fabric; soft skin. producing agreeable sensations; pleasant or comfortable: soft slumber. low or subdued in […]
- Funeral
the ceremonies for a dead person prior to burial or cremation; obsequies. a funeral procession. of or relating to a funeral: funeral services; funeral expenses. be someone’s funeral, Informal. to have unpleasant consequences for someone: If you don’t finish the work on time, it will be your funeral! Contemporary Examples Another result was a line […]
- Besotted
intoxicated; drunk: We found him besotted with wine. infatuated or obsessed: a besotted mom and her new baby; They had one date and he was utterly besotted. to intoxicate or stupefy with drink. to make stupid or foolish: The stories had besotted her mind with fear and superstition. to infatuate; obsess: Youth and beauty have […]
- Besought
a simple past tense and past participle of beseech. to implore urgently: They besought him to go at once. to beg eagerly for; solicit. to make urgent appeal: Earnestly did I beseech, but to no avail. Historical Examples Mr. Clay went to him and besought him to withdraw the motion; but in vain. Thirty Years’ […]