adj

tarnished

TAHR-nihsht

adj

Discoloured or dulled, especially of metal.

"The tarnished brass handles needed a good clean."

Damaged in reputation; dishonoured.

"He became a tarnished figure after the corruption allegations."

How to Use Tarnished

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDulled by exposure to air (metal) or damaged in standing/reputation (a person, brand, image).

Common pairings

tarnished reputation tarnished image

more tarnished comparative, most tarnished superlative

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The _____ brass handles needed a good clean.

fished famished vanished polished punished finished banished cherished furnished published nourished anguished