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smirch 1 of 2

noun

Definition of smirchnext
as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace corruption charges that were a smirch on her reputation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

smirch

2 of 2

verb

ˈsmərch How to pronounce smirch (audio)
1
as in to stain
to make dirty their clothes were smirched by dust from the trail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes this scandal will forever smirch the name of a once-great family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smirch
  1. stain
  2. blacken
  3. humiliate
  4. taint
  5. dirty
  6. discredit
  7. blot
  8. besmirch
Noun
  • The pocket-sized UV flashlight can detect what the naked eye can’t, including dry urine stains, bed bugs, scorpions, and more.
    — Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Were the stains considered evidence that he had been ordered not to touch?
    — Elvira Navarro, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of stain
Verb
  • Lines at Russian gas stations, crippled refineries, and images of burning oil depots blackening the sky lent credence to the narrative, as did blackouts and fuel shortages in Crimea.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2026
  • There’s more than just blackening bananas; electrodes embedded in the fruit transmit electrical signals into sound and light tones that constantly shift.
    — Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of blacken
Verb
  • But the Saudis, humiliated by their losses in Yemen, seem likely to lash out.
    — Kareem Fahim, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
  • When she and the other part-time employees were told their positions were being eliminated, Valcarcel said she felt humiliated and disrespected.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of humiliate
Noun
  • Even though Thiam denied knowledge of it and was cleared of involvement, the taint of the scandal led to his ouster.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
  • On top of worrying about making great wine, European producers will now have to mitigate against smoke taint, save their grapes from frost, and consider how to future-proof vineyards in a rapidly changing climate.
    — Kate Dingwall, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026
Definition of taint
Verb
  • Satisfy your lasagna craving without dirtying up a pile of dishes.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
  • The zipper shoe compartment keeps your shoes from dirtying up your clothing, and the massive interior can hold many outfits for your weekend getaway.
    — Olivia Dubyak, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of dirty
Verb
  • Some of its members have advocated for open borders, and believe gender is a social construct, both of which have been fodder for inflammatory social media content from those seeking to discredit the philosophy.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026
  • According to Cara Robertson’s 2019 book The Trial of Lizzie Borden, her defense team struggled to thread the needle between explaining the bloody rags without offering the prosecution a new lane to discredit her.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of discredit
Noun
  • Remove the wings from the refrigerator and blot away any visible moisture with paper towels.
    — Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Act+Acre Microfiber Hair Towel Act+Acre’s popular flat towel comes with instructions for a specific technique —blot and squeeze, no rubbing.
    — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of blot
Verb
  • Our nation’s capital is besmirched, on his say-so, with signs and banners bearing his likeness and name.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Troubled by all the people besmirching the occupation, a group of agents formed a national trade group in 1908—the one eventually known as NAR.
    — Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of besmirch
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.

Browse Nearby Words

smilingly
smirch
smirched
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Cite this Entry

“Smirch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smirch. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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