as in to stain
to make dirty
inconsiderately besmirched the carpet with their dirty feet
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of besmirch
Kelly believes a book like this hasn’t been written before because people weren’t ready to hear the truth – as though acknowledging these famous people’s complete life experiences would be besmirching their legacies.
—
Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
The eggs were fluffy, lacking any of the rubbery slop that besmirches lesser breakfast burritos.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 1 Dec. 2025
This cynicism inevitably besmirches players, coaches, and referees who have no ties to gambling.
—Danny Funt, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
Famously, the British press conspired to draw the dramatist’s name through the mud, besmirching his literary legacy for generations to follow.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for besmirch
Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
The eggs were fluffy, lacking any of the rubbery slop that besmirches lesser breakfast burritos.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 1 Dec. 2025
This cynicism inevitably besmirches players, coaches, and referees who have no ties to gambling.
—Danny Funt, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
Famously, the British press conspired to draw the dramatist’s name through the mud, besmirching his literary legacy for generations to follow.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for besmirch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besmirch
Verb
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Sometimes, though, the tree dropped little brown fruits, inedible berries that stained everything and drove me into the glaring sun.—
Abraham Jiménez Enoa,
The Dial,
19 May 2026
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In the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s spread, shot by Ethan James Green, Alcaraz posed in an all-white ensemble of a vest, shorts, a top and a suit, stained with clay.—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Sepsis had left his skin peeling and his body blackened, including parts of his fingers, ears, lips and lower legs.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
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Broil close to heat until blackened and blistered, 4 to 5 minutes per side.—
Rick Bayless,
Midwest Living,
13 May 2026
Verb
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But as filming continued, Pidgeon appeared to dirty her butter blond with caramel and chocolate shades similar to Bessette-Kennedy’s, thanks to stylist Kari Hill.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
25 Feb. 2026
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With the help of your Instant Pot, spaghetti and meatballs come together in under an hour without dirtying multiple dishes.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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He was accused of abusing boys, a charge that went unproven but sullied his reputation in Europe.—
Amanda Rosa
Updated April 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
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In its first go-round, Beef was ripe with curiosity about first-gen immigrant families and how the fear of leaving home stagnates and sullies us.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Besmirch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besmirch. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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