Synonyms of besmirch

besmirch

verb

bi-ˈsmərch 

as in to stain

to make dirty

inconsiderately besmirched the carpet with their dirty feet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stain
• blacken
• dirty
• sully
• soil
• smirch
• muck
• mess
• befoul
• smudge
• muddy
• daub
• pollute
• grime
• contaminate
• mire
• distain
• taint
• foul
• gaum
• bemire
• begrime
• defile
• discolor
• disarrange
• confuse
• disarray
• muddle
• jumble
• disorder
• dishevel
• draggle
• crock
• colly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clean
• cleanse
• purify
• purge
• wipe
• decontaminate
• sweep
• wash
• sanitize
• disinfect
• scrub
• brush
• renew
• rinse
• scour
• brighten
• launder
• dust
• mop
• freshen
• spruce (up)
• straighten (up)
• dry-clean
• deodorize
• tidy (up)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of besmirch

Imagine having the gall to besmirch the name of a young mother killed for trying to speak up for her neighbors or of an ICU nurse shot in the back for trying to tend to a woman who had been pepper-sprayed in the face. — Sasha Abramsky, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2026

The lack of awards buzz shouldn’t besmirch Amanda Seyfried’s performance here, though, which is great. — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026

For example, anyone who has lived in New York City is likely to have noticed the countless chewing gum stains that besmirch the city’s sidewalks. — Peter Debruge, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026

Kelly believes a book like this hasn’t been written before because people weren’t ready to hear the truth – as though acknowledging these famous people’s complete life experiences would be besmirching their legacies. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026

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