besmirch
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English besmorchen (attested in besmorchid), equivalent to be- + smirch. Compare Middle English bismotered (“bespattered, soiled”).
Pronunciation[edit]
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /bɪˈsmɜːtʃ/
- (General American) IPA(key): /bɪˈsmɝːt͡ʃ/
Audio (US) (file) Audio (AU) (file) - Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)tʃ
Verb[edit]
besmirch (third-person singular simple present besmirches, present participle besmirching, simple past and past participle besmirched)
- (transitive, literary) To make dirty.
- Synonym: soil
- (transitive) To tarnish something, especially someone's reputation.
- Synonyms: debase, smear, slander, libel
- Antonym: unbesmirch
- The newspaper was on a campaign to besmirch the actor.
Derived terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
make dirty
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tarnish; debase
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Anagrams[edit]
Categories:
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms prefixed with be-
- English 2-syllable words
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- Rhymes:English/ɜː(ɹ)tʃ
- Rhymes:English/ɜː(ɹ)tʃ/2 syllables
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