Definition of besmirch
From the M-W Editors
besmirch was our Word of the Day on 03/14/2017. Hear the podcast!
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
Examples of besmirch in a Sentence
inconsiderately besmirched the white bedsheets with their dirty feet
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.
Circa 1616
First Known Use of besmirch
circa 1616
BESMIRCH Defined for English Language Learners
besmirch
playDefinition of besmirch for English Language Learners
-
: to cause harm or damage to (the reputation of someone or something)
Learn More about besmirch
-
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
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up besmirch? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!