YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

besmirch

Verb

IPA /bɪˈsmɜːtʃ/

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Meaning in plain English

To damage the respect or good opinion that people have of someone or something.

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Pronunciation

besmirch/bɪˈsmɜːtʃ/

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Someone has a respected reputation
A rival spreads a damaging rumour
Others begin to doubt the person

A damaging rumour can besmirch someone's reputation.

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False rumours threatened to besmirch her good name.
The manager warned that dishonest reporting could besmirch the team's reputation.

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False rumours threatened to ________ her good name.

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besmirch — To damage the respect or good opinion that people have of someone or something.

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To damage the respect or good opinion that people have of someone or something.

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Word origin

Formed from be- and smirch, an older verb meaning to stain or make dirty.

Did you know?

Besmirch commonly combines with reputation, name and honour.

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