befouling

present participle of befoul

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for befouling
Verb
  • Sealing the grout keeps foods from staining it.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 June 2026
  • Natural stone can be more involved; it should be sealed before grouting and can require upkeep to protect against staining.
    Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Plastics degrade into microplastics, which in humans have been linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and other health issues, and which are polluting ecosystems from coral reefs to Antarctica.
    Veronique Greenwood, Time, 26 June 2026
  • The California Air Resources Board has said transportation is responsible for about 38% of these emissions, while the next-most-polluting sector, industrial sources, is responsible for 22% of emissions.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • And Hanceville’s fate is as murky as the fog that pours in at night, blotting out buildings and blackening the road ahead.
    Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
  • These tungsten atoms would then condense on the slightly cooler inside of the glass bulb, blackening it and dimming the light over time.
    Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • One of Robinson's attorneys, Kathryn Nester, also represented Kouri Richins, who was convicted of poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, in March 2022.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
  • Lewis was accused of poisoning two white female housemates, assaulted by a white mob in response to the charge, and acquitted in court, only to then be accused of stealing art supplies and prohibited from reënrolling.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • With the help of your Instant Pot, spaghetti and meatballs come together in under an hour without dirtying multiple dishes.
    Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Keep them in reserve as a sleep sock to ward off icy toes and prevent sweat and skin oils from dirtying your down sleeping bag.
    Adam Roy, Outside, 28 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • The Spurs were a ghastly 11 of 46 from the perimeter, sullying an otherwise analytically pristine shot chart that included only four non-paint 2s.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 5 June 2026
  • And could a second season, sans the extraordinary talents of Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, deliver a story and themes in keeping with that brand, without sullying what was so deviously tricky about the original series and its tone?
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Some passengers reported soiling themselves in their seats.
    Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026
  • Also on the good side of things is Sean Bell’s lanky Sir Robin, the not-quite-so-brave, armor-soiling knight.
    Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In her response, Hajdini cast Rana as manipulative and deceitful, intent on ruining her life and besmirching her employer through his sensational accusations.
    David Chiu, PEOPLE, 28 May 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Befouling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befouling. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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