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besmirch

[bih-smurch] / bɪˈsmɜrtʃ /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Steele doesn’t besmirch the data that punishes his Redhawks, but he also says “there’s something to winning.”

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 2, 2026

As it turns out, Murray’s story doesn’t besmirch Candy’s memory at all.

From Salon Oct. 12, 2025

"It is an unadulterated lie because it tries to besmirch the very DNA of a new South Africa that was born under the leadership of someone like Nelson Mandela," he told the BBC World Service.

From BBC Mar. 28, 2025

It’s still theirs and not yours to besmirch.

From Seattle Times Jul. 7, 2023

The critics were jealous, the articles said, and looking for ways to besmirch the respected surgeons involved in Garfield's care.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

"Behaviour like that, whether it's at an Old Firm match or any other football match, besmirches that, and it should absolutely be seen as unacceptable."

From BBC Apr. 4, 2022

Yet his failure to universally apply the Constitution’s protections besmirches his record.

From Washington Post Jul. 14, 2021

Mud besmirches his van’s tiny, neat living space.

From The Guardian Jun. 6, 2018

It is unfortunate that this Times article indirectly besmirches the Yankees.

From New York Times Jul. 8, 2017

Prince Napoleon blames M. Taine for quoting "eight times" 'Bourrienne's Memoirs,' and then, letting his feelings loose, he takes advantage of the occasion and cruelly besmirches Bourrienne's name.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 6 by Mabie, Hamilton Wright

“New banks didn’t even call themselves banks and instead used the expression caisses, meaning ‘deposits,’ so besmirched was the banking industry’s reputation.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 12, 2025

But our own humanity has been besmirched, damaged, undermined by such silences, which, in many ways, represent the most powerful propaganda of all.

From Salon May 31, 2023

Their besmirched clothes, blistered feet and cracked lips attested to the ordeal of the nine-day trek, but they still danced and jumped to celebrate their accomplishment.

From BBC Feb. 3, 2023

Securities and Exchange Commission, had wrongly besmirched Hindenburg’s “well-deserved reputation for thoroughness, precision and accuracy.”

From Reuters Feb. 2, 2023

Was there any kind of filth with which he had not besmirched himself, any sin and folly which he had not committed, any stain upon his soul for which he alone had not been responsible?

From "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse

The businesses declared themselves outraged by the government besmirching their reputation.

From BBC Jan. 18, 2023

“They are targeting this officer and besmirching his reputation for following his attorney’s advice,” Tratnik argued.

From Seattle Times Dec. 7, 2022

“She’s calling everyone I know and besmirching my name,” he added.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 25, 2022

Like, say, besmirching an evening that featured Black women making Oscars history, with Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes joining Amy Schumer as the first trio of women to host the show.

From Salon Mar. 28, 2022

There are hackers today who fiercely and publicly resist any besmirching of the noble title of hacker.

From The Hacker Crackdown, law and disorder on the electronic frontier by Sterling, Bruce




Vocabulary lists containing besmirch


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