as in to stain
to make dirty
inconsiderately besmirched the carpet with their dirty feet
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of besmirch
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
The eggs were fluffy, lacking any of the rubbery slop that besmirches lesser breakfast burritos.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 1 Dec. 2025
This cynicism inevitably besmirches players, coaches, and referees who have no ties to gambling.
—Danny Funt, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
Famously, the British press conspired to draw the dramatist’s name through the mud, besmirching his literary legacy for generations to follow.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for besmirch
Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
The eggs were fluffy, lacking any of the rubbery slop that besmirches lesser breakfast burritos.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 1 Dec. 2025
This cynicism inevitably besmirches players, coaches, and referees who have no ties to gambling.
—Danny Funt, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
Famously, the British press conspired to draw the dramatist’s name through the mud, besmirching his literary legacy for generations to follow.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for besmirch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besmirch
Verb
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Use a broom or stiff brush and focus on high-traffic or stained areas.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Focus on high-traffic or stained areas.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The benches are blackened with age, strewn with tools.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
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Juicy, whole lobster served grilled or blackened is best, though the menu at this famous haunt features every possible iteration of the dish.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But as filming continued, Pidgeon appeared to dirty her butter blond with caramel and chocolate shades similar to Bessette-Kennedy’s, thanks to stylist Kari Hill.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
25 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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Crowds were relatively small last month, especially compared to March weekends in the years after the COVID pandemic, when thousands of young people packed Ocean Drive and the party was sullied by shootings, stampedes and curfews.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
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But a battlefield promotion to Ayatollah was arranged, blending faith with politics in an exercise that critics said sullied both even before Khamenei reinforced his position by earthly means, elevating the IRGC.—
Karl Vick,
Time,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Besmirch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besmirch. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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