as in to stain
to make dirty
inconsiderately besmirched the carpet with their dirty feet
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Recent Examples of besmirch
Russian media often praises Carlson for spreading information that benefits the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin while besmirching Russian adversaries, including the U.S.
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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
Even as details and the truth here are murky, Williamson leaves besmirched in a mess that serves neither ESPN nor McAfee well.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for besmirch 
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
Even as details and the truth here are murky, Williamson leaves besmirched in a mess that serves neither ESPN nor McAfee well.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for besmirch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besmirch
Verb
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In conducting the study, the team also developed a new technique to stain collagen fibers to analyze their impact on the skin’s mechanics.Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
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This particular query came (stop it) during a recent interview with Variety where Daniel Craig asked if a shot of sheets stained with semen was kept in the final cut’s establishing scene.David Opie, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
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But the task has been performed so many times that dust and metal from the robot’s fingers have blackened the edges.James Somers, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024
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The fire burned for 64 days, blackening 429,603 acres in Butte and Tehama counties and destroying 709 homes and other structures.Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Instead, Walz seems to have little to say about factory farming dirtying the state’s waterways.Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
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Garments can be dirtied again by the elements if air-dried outside.Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 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 21 Dec. 2024.
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