Definition of besmirch
transitive verb
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Examples of besmirch in a Sentence
inconsiderately besmirched the white bedsheets with their dirty feet
Recent Examples of besmirch from the Web
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China’s government often charges its critics with apparently unconnected crimes that seem intended to besmirch their reputations.
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The report did little beyond besmirching Jones’ reputation.
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Then, 24 hours later, toothpaste decorates the basin; crumbs crunch underfoot; and grease splatters besmirch the stove.
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The Takeaways Notwithstanding how many on the internet are eager to besmirch Paltrow, Goop’s bourgeois message of self-improvement inspires avid loyalty that is the bedrock of most successful media businesses.
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Cosby Attorney Angela C. Agrusa Takes on Constand Cosby’s lawyers wasted no time on Tuesday in their ongoing attempts to besmirch Constand’s character.
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Cosby Attorney Angela C. Agrusa Takes on Constand Cosby’s lawyers wasted no time on Tuesday in their ongoing attempts to besmirch Constand’s character.
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I am deeply disappointed by these continual attacks on my integrity in an attempt to besmirch my personal and professional reputation.
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But some alumni have voiced concern that by focusing on the wrongs of the 19th century, Mr. DeGioia is unnecessarily besmirching the reputation of a venerable institution.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'besmirch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Since the prefix be- in besmirch means "to make or cause to be," when you besmirch something, you cause it to have a smirch. What's a smirch? A smirch is a stain, and "to smirch" is to stain or make dirty. By extension, "to smirch" came to mean "to bring discredit or disgrace on." "Smirch" and "besmirch," then, mean essentially the same thing. We have William Shakespeare to thank for the variation in form. Shakespeare's 1599 use of the term in Henry V is the first known appearance of "besmirch" in English.
First Known Use of besmirch
circa 1616
besmirch Synonyms
Synonyms
befoul, begrime, bemire, dirty, blacken, daub, distain [archaic], foul, gaum [dialect], grime, mire, muck, muddy, smirch, smudge, soil, stain, sullyAntonyms
clean, cleanseRelated Words
contaminate, defile, pollute, taint; discolor; confuse, disarrange, disarray, dishevel, disorder, draggle, jumble, mess, muddle; colly [chiefly British dialect], crock [dialect]Near Antonyms
decontaminate, purge, purify; disinfect, sanitize; brush, dry-clean, dust, launder, mop, rinse, scour, scrub, sweep, wash, wipe; brighten, deodorize, freshen, renew, spruce (up); straighten (up), tidy (up)BESMIRCH Defined for English Language Learners
besmirch
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verb
Definition of besmirch for English Language Learners
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: to cause harm or damage to (the reputation of someone or something)
Learn More about besmirch
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See words that rhyme with besmirch Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for besmirch Spanish Central: Translation of besmirch Nglish: Translation of besmirch for Spanish speakers
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