as in to stain
to make dirty
inconsiderately besmirched the carpet with their dirty feet
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Recent Examples of besmirch
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.
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Peter White, Deadline, 21 June 2024
Russian media often praises Carlson for spreading information that benefits the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin while besmirching Russian adversaries, including the U.S.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 21 May 2024
In the course of the same afternoon, Larry and Lewis wind up debating the relative attractiveness of penises, shadowboxing with a demanding blind man, and besmirching a restaurant captain who felt entitled to his own gratuity.
—Larry Fitzmaurice, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2024
The current flag has long been disdained by nationalists who associate it with Putin, and more recently, it has been besmirched by the invasion of Ukraine.
—Jade McGlynn, Foreign Affairs, 17 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for besmirch 
Peter White, Deadline, 21 June 2024
Russian media often praises Carlson for spreading information that benefits the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin while besmirching Russian adversaries, including the U.S.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 21 May 2024
In the course of the same afternoon, Larry and Lewis wind up debating the relative attractiveness of penises, shadowboxing with a demanding blind man, and besmirching a restaurant captain who felt entitled to his own gratuity.
—Larry Fitzmaurice, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2024
The current flag has long been disdained by nationalists who associate it with Putin, and more recently, it has been besmirched by the invasion of Ukraine.
—Jade McGlynn, Foreign Affairs, 17 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for besmirch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besmirch
Verb
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The clay could have been put onto the bone directly, or the bone could have been held in a cloth already stained with red ochre.Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
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The assault permanently stained Yarrow's reputation, particularly in the #MeToo era, as he was regularly disinvited from events once his name became known as a performing guest.Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Eaton fire, which started after the Palisades blaze in the Altadena area, has blackened more than 14,000 acres, destroyed or damaged 7,000 homes and other structures, and killed 17 people, officials say.Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
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Hands blackened from picking through the rubble of what was left of his home camp.Will Carless, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Having dirtied himself in the catacombs beneath the papacy’s home, our scrappy archaeologist emerges into none other than a resplendent re-creation of the Sistine Chapel.Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
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Arizona Republic Cool weather and the holiday season may seem like the perfect excuse to cozy up by the fire, but too many blazing yule logs can dirty the air and put some of your neighbors at risk.Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Starbucks works hard to keep its coffee aroma from being sullied by food and other smells in its stores — employees aren’t even allowed to wear fragrances.Whizy Kim, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
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Not even a string of disappointing sequels, two bad movies, and odd franchise pivots by Konami has sullied its renown.Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Besmirch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besmirch. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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