besmirch

UK: /bɪˈsmɜː^rtʃ/ US: /bɪˈsmɝtʃ/ ,(bi smûrch′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

be•smirch /bɪˈsmɜrtʃ/   v. [~ + object]

1. to make dirty;
   soil;
   sully.
2. to ruin by taking away the honor of (someone's good name):
   His campaign plan was simply to besmirch his opponent's reputation.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

be•smirch  (bi smûrch′), v.t. 

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

• be- + smirch 1590–1600

be•smirch′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. . stain, tarnish, soil, blacken, dishonor, discredit, sully, besmear.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

besmirch / bɪˈsmɜːtʃ/ verb (transitive)

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