besmirk

English

Etymology

Variant of besmirch, as if be- +‎ smirk.

Verb

besmirk (third-person singular simple present besmirks, present participle besmirking, simple past and past participle besmirked)

1. (transitive) To besmirch; sully; befoul.
   • 1907, J. Gordon Mowat, John Alexander Cooper, Newton MacTavish, The Canadian Magazine - Volume 30 - Page 584:

     A mighty people, strong, reliant, free, / With souls sustained by foulest sorcery / Of noxious demagogues whose wiles disguise / Their sanguine lusts, and whose polluted lies / Besmirk the fairest form of Liberty!

   • 2011, Libby Sternberg, Gary Alexander, Lunch Reads Volume 2:

     ESPN or some high-wattage radio station, they wouldn't besmirk their own hands, they'd sub it out to lowlifes.