besmirch
verb
be·smirch
bi-ˈsmərch 
bē-
besmirched; besmirching; besmirches
: 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
R. A. NewhallAlthough the accusations against Normand were unsupported, her name was besmirched.—John Lahr
John LahrDarwin was exasperated by Wallace's gullibility and feared that his activities would somehow besmirch the theory of evolution.—Anthony Gottlieb
Anthony GottliebThe 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
Max Hastings
Did you know?
Since the prefix be- in besmirch means "to make or cause to be," when you besmirch something, you cause it to have a smirch. What's a smirch? A smirch is a stain, and to smirch something is to stain it or make it dirty. By extension, the verb smirch came to mean "to bring discredit or disgrace on." Smirch and besmirch, then, mean essentially the same thing.
Synonyms
Examples of besmirch in a Sentence
inconsiderately besmirched the carpet with their dirty feet
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s a new promo picture going around showing a Dusty Milligan with facial hair (see: above) — and listen, not to besmirch his infinity-pool jawline, but the dude looks so much better with that scruff.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
The Jefferson Council, a conservative alumni group, had been calling for an end or change to the tour program, insisting that volunteers had been wrongly besmirching the legacy of UVA's founder.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 30 Aug. 2024
With their reputations besmirched, their families despaired of finding them a suitor.
—Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2024
This is not to besmirch the usual litany of guests from the Bravo universe, the majority of whom regularly make the pilgrimage to Soho in New York to gossip and dish on their co-stars.
—Peter White, Deadline, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for 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.
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
The Jefferson Council, a conservative alumni group, had been calling for an end or change to the tour program, insisting that volunteers had been wrongly besmirching the legacy of UVA's founder.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 30 Aug. 2024
With their reputations besmirched, their families despaired of finding them a suitor.
—Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2024
This is not to besmirch the usual litany of guests from the Bravo universe, the majority of whom regularly make the pilgrimage to Soho in New York to gossip and dish on their co-stars.
—Peter White, Deadline, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for besmirch
Articles Related to besmirch
Dictionary Entries Near besmirch
Cite this Entry
“Besmirch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/besmirch. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
besmirch
verb
be·smirch
bi-ˈsmərch
: to make soiled or less pure
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share