: something that tarnishes
especially
: a film of chemically altered material on the surface of a metal (such as silver)
Synonyms
Examples of tarnish in a Sentence
Verb
Some foods will tarnish silver.
The scandal tarnished his reputation.
Noun
a polish that removes tarnish
Recent Examples on the Web
Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Jan. 2025
The new league could add more costs for the NBA and its owners but also tarnish its brand or create friction for European fans of existing teams who do not join the NBA’s league or feel slighted by it.
—Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Jan Soults Walker, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2024
In other medal news: Some of the 2024 Olympic medals will be replaced by the French mint after complaints about tarnishes appearing just months after the Games.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tarnish 
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Verb
But that luster has tarnished, as the company has struggled to keep up with shifts in consumer and societal demands.
—Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Jan. 2025
The new league could add more costs for the NBA and its owners but also tarnish its brand or create friction for European fans of existing teams who do not join the NBA’s league or feel slighted by it.
—Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
Sprinkle the rough side of the sponge with salt and scrub the tarnish off the copper surface.
—Jan Soults Walker, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2024
In other medal news: Some of the 2024 Olympic medals will be replaced by the French mint after complaints about tarnishes appearing just months after the Games.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tarnish
Dictionary Entries Near tarnish
Cite this Entry
“Tarnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tarnish. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tarnish
1 of 2 verb
tar·nish
ˈtär-nish 
1
: to make or become dull, dim, or discolored
silver tarnishes
2
: to bring disgrace or cast doubt on
tarnished the family's good name
tarnish
2 of 2 noun
: something that tarnishes
especially
: a film of chemically changed material on the surface of a metal (as silver)
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