besmirch

[ bih-smurch ]
/ bɪˈsmɜrtʃ /

verb (used with object)

to soil; tarnish; discolor.
to detract from the honor or luster of: to besmirch someone's good name.

Origin of besmirch

First recorded in 1590–1600; be- + smirch

OTHER WORDS FROM besmirch

be·smirch·er, noun un·be·smirched, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for besmirch

British Dictionary definitions for besmirch

besmirch
/ (bɪˈsmɜːtʃ) /

verb (tr)

to make dirty; soil
to reduce the brightness or lustre of
to sully (often in the phrase besmirch (a person's) name)