besmirch
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for besmirch, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make something dirty.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
2. verb
To damage or spoil something, especially a person's good name.
“Sir Guy might still have slain him without besmirching his knightly honor”
Opposites
Etymology
Comes from Middle English besmorchen (attested in besmorchid). Compare Middle English bismotered ("bespattered, soiled"). By surface analysis it is be- + smirch.
Full origin of besmirch →