as in stains
a mark of guilt or disgrace
corruption charges that were a smirch on her reputation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blackens
to make dirty
their clothes were smirched by dust from the trail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in humiliates
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 smirches
Noun
-
Stubborn stains, such as makeup, grass, and nail polish, can also benefit from a hot water wash.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025 -
Leaks, ceiling stains or granules in gutters may signal damaged or missing asphalt shingles.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
To show him who’s boss, Catherine turns around and buys Pac-North, humiliates him by closing it, and forces him back to Grey Sloan.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2025
-
There’s always a moment in which somebody humiliates the villain and now all the love in him is gone.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yet despite its popularity, research discredits this long-standing belief.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This cynicism inevitably besmirches players, coaches, and referees who have no ties to gambling.—
Danny Funt,
New Yorker,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Somebody does something terrible and messes it up.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Smirches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smirches. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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