besmirches
Drags through mud
Besmirches is the third-person singular of besmirch, meaning to damage someone's reputation or good name: The scandal besmirches everyone involved.
The word suggests staining or soiling something previously clean—honor, character, or legacy.
It carries a literary or formal tone, more common in written than spoken English.
Harms reputation falsely
- slandersFalsely damages reputation
- tarnishesCorrodes on the surface
- malignsSpeaks falsely against
- smearsDefaming attacks or streaks
sullies · libels · disparages · vilifies · dishonors · discredits · degrades · blackens
defames
Harms reputation falsely
smears · sullies · libels · disparages · vilifies · dishonors · discredits · degrades · blackens · calumniates
stains
Discolorations on surfaces
spots · mars · defiles · taints · blots · smears · spatters · blemishes · discolors · marks
dishonors
Brings shame upon
- shamesCauses deep embarrassment
- disgracesCauses loss of honor
- humiliatesCauses painful embarrassment
debases · degrades · demeans · profanes · desecrates · violates · taints · corrupts · pollutes · contaminates
- criticismscriticizes, disparages, condemns, denounces, censures