besmirch

From Middle English besmorchen (attested in besmorchid), equivalent to be- +‎ smirch. Compare Middle English bismotered (“bespattered, soiled”).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /bɪˈsmɜːtʃ/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /bɪˈsmɝːt͡ʃ/

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• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)tʃ

besmirch (third-person singular simple present besmirches, present participle besmirching, simple past and past participle besmirched)

1. (transitive, literary) To make dirty.

   Synonym: soil

2. (transitive) To tarnish something, especially someone's reputation.

   Synonyms: debase, smear, slander, libel

   Antonym: unbesmirch

   The newspaper was on a campaign to besmirch the actor.

• Schembri