besmirches

verb

present tense third-person singular of besmirch
as in stains
to make dirty inconsiderately besmirched the carpet with their dirty feet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of besmirches 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besmirches
  1. stains
  2. blackens
  3. sullies
  4. dirties
  5. messes
Verb
  • Homemade plum compote stains the filling with a vibrant red ribbon.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026
  • When that protective finish gets damaged, the toilet actually stains easier and is harder to keep clean over time.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 24 May 2026
Definition of stains
Verb
  • As the salmon blackens in a skillet, the spices awaken, encrusting the fish in peppery piquant.
    — The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of blackens
Verb
  • The film hinges on a small moment that not only sullies the trip but leads her character to reconsider her understanding of her father.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • For all the ways Disney’s move sullies it with creatives in Hollywood, OpenAI’s new partner does the opposite — gives it massive cred in Silicon Valley.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 12 Dec. 2025
Definition of sullies
Verb
  • The adventurous actress dirties up her frock and face to play the village pariah, who reeks of fish and would be no man’s idea of a suitable wife, except perhaps the one-eyed bum who sleeps in the town square.
    — Peter Debruge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of dirties
Verb
  • Ships, like airplanes, are designed with fluid dynamics in mind, and biofoul seriously messes that up.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
  • From pet hair to crumbs, this Shark handheld cordless vacuum cleaner can tackle messes large and small, thanks to strong suction and a self-cleaning brush that resists pet hair accumulation.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Definition of messes

Browse Nearby Words

besmirched
besmirches
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Cite this Entry

“Besmirches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besmirches. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on besmirches

Nglish: Translation of besmirches for Spanish Speakers

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