besmirching
Dragging through mud
Besmirching is damaging someone's reputation or good name through slander, false accusations, or association with something shameful.
The word carries a sense of soiling or staining what was once clean: He accused the newspaper of besmirching his character.
Present participle of besmirch.
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
character assassination · mudslinging · smear campaign · aspersion · detraction · backbiting · scandal · rumormongering
Damage one's standing
- taintMake impure
- tarnishOxidation discoloration on metal
- stainLasting surface discoloration
- blemishVisible flaw or mark
blot · mar · soil · smudge · defile · corrupt · contaminate · pollute
Loss of honor
- dishonorLoss of respect
- disreputeDamaged public standing
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- humiliationLoss of dignity
degradation · debasement · stigma · ignominy · infamy · discredit · scandal · indignity
slander
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
defamation · character assassination · mudslinging · smear campaign · aspersion · detraction · backbiting · scandal · rumormongering · innuendo
sully
Damage one's standing
blemish · blot · mar · soil · smudge · defile · corrupt · contaminate · pollute · dirty
disgrace
Loss of honor
humiliation · degradation · debasement · stigma · ignominy · infamy · discredit · scandal · indignity · opprobrium
- shamingshaming, humiliating, disgracing, dishonoring, degrading
- dirtyingsoiling, dirtying, staining, smearing, smudging
- vilificationvilification, vilifying, demonizing, demonisation, demonize
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- deterioratingdecaying, decomposing, degrading, rotting, eroding
besmirchingsanctifying
Making sacred or holy
hallowing · consecrating · blessing · venerating · revering
besmirchment, besmirch, besmirched, smirch, besmirches, smirching, smirched