smirch

[ smurch ]
/ smɜrtʃ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR smirch ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to discolor or soil; spot or smudge with or as with soot, dust, dirt, etc.
to sully or tarnish (a person, reputation, character, etc.); disgrace; discredit.

noun

a dirty mark or smear, as of soot, dust, dirt, etc.
a stain or blot, as on reputation.

Origin of smirch

First recorded in 1485–95; origin uncertain

OTHER WORDS FROM smirch

smirch·less, adjective un·smirched, adjective

Words nearby smirch

smile on, smiles, smiley, smilodon, smir, smirch, smirk, smirting, smish, smit, smitch

Words related to smirch

disgrace, pollute, soil, besmear, blot, tarnish, dishonor, discredit, contaminate, stain, sully, blacken, smudge, degrade, besmirch, blemish, smear, blotch, taint, dirty

Example sentences from the Web for smirch

British Dictionary definitions for smirch

smirch
/ (smɜːtʃ) /

verb (tr)

to dirty; soil

noun

the act of smirching or state of being smirched
a smear or stain

Derived forms of smirch

smircher, noun

Word Origin for smirch

C15 smorchen, of unknown origin