besmirched; besmirching; besmirches
Definition of besmirch
: to cause harm or damage to the purity, luster, or beauty of (something) : sully, soil
besmirching her reputation High ideals were besmirched by cruelty and greed …— R. A. Newhall Although the accusations against Normand were unsupported, her name was besmirched.— John Lahr Darwin was exasperated by Wallace's gullibility and feared that his activities would somehow besmirch the theory of evolution.— Anthony Gottlieb The problem is that the vast majority of people of all nations … cherish their national myths too much to want mere facts, or even assertions of historical doubt, to besmirch them.— Max Hastings
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for besmirch
The first known use of besmirch was in 1604
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