besmirchment
Sullying one's name
Besmirchment is the act of damaging someone's reputation or the state of having one's reputation damaged.
The word carries a sense of staining or sullying what was previously clean: The besmirchment of his character was complete after the scandal broke.
It's the noun form of besmirch, formal and somewhat literary in tone.
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- smearSpread or defame
aspersion · denigration · traducement · character assassination · mudslinging · backbiting · detraction · innuendo
Loss of honor
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- ignominyState of dishonor
- infamyExtreme public disgrace
- disreputeDamaged public standing
humiliation · degradation · opprobrium · odium · stigma · abasement · contempt · disesteem
slander
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
smear · aspersion · denigration · traducement · character assassination · mudslinging · backbiting · detraction · innuendo · disparagement
disgrace
Loss of honor
disrepute · humiliation · degradation · opprobrium · odium · stigma · abasement · contempt · disesteem · debasement
stain
Lasting surface discoloration
dirt · soot · filth · blot · spot · blemish · tarnish · discoloration · splotch · residue
besmirchmentvindication
Clearance of blame
exoneration · absolution · rehabilitation · glorification · praise
besmirch, besmirching, besmirched, smirch, besmirches, smirching, smirched