besmirch

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English

WOTD – 3 June 2007

Etymology

From Middle English besmorchen (attested in besmorchid), equivalent to be- +‎ smirch. Compare Middle English bismotered (“bespattered, soiled”).

Pronunciation

Verb

besmirch (third-person singular simple present besmirches, present participle besmirching, simple past and past participle besmirched)

  1. (transitive, literary) To make dirty.
    Synonym: soil
  2. (transitive) To tarnish something, especially someone's reputation.
    Synonyms: debase, smear, slander, libel, blacken
    Antonym: unbesmirch
    The newspaper was on a campaign to besmirch the actor.

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