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Definitions

sully

[suhl-ee] / ˈsʌl i /
VERB
soil, stain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
besmirch blacken corrupt debase defile discolor disgrace dishonor smear smudge taint tar tarnish
STRONG
blot contaminate debauch dirty mark spot
WEAK
drag through the mud make unclean
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clean enhance esteem honor improve laud praise purify upgrade
STRONG
cleanse sterilize

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.

Macron almost immediately responded on X: "Shame on those who wanted to sully his memory," he wrote.

From Barron's • Oct. 9, 2025

Introducing a two-tier system to the World Test Championship would be "greedy" and would "sully the game", says former England fast bowler Steven Finn.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2025

Why would millennials, unable to own their own places, sully the site of our nostalgia by playing as landlords?

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2024

Piers Morgan is staying true to form in his latest criticism of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, trying to make something out of nothing as he continuously endeavors to sully their reputations.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2024

I had wanted this for so long, I wouldn’t let fear sully the moment.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros