sullies
Drags through mud
Sullies is the third-person singular of sully, meaning to tarnish, stain, or damage something's purity or reputation.
The word applies most often to abstract things: The scandal sullies his legacy.
You might sully someone's honor, a family name, or an otherwise clean record.
The word carries a literary or formal tone.
Oxidation discoloration on metal
- besmirchTo soil someone's reputation
- dishonorLoss of respect
- disgraceLoss of honor
- defameHarm reputation falsely
slander · smear · discredit · malign · vilify · drag through mud · blacken · damage
tarnish
Oxidation discoloration on metal
defame · slander · smear · discredit · malign · vilify · drag through mud · blacken · damage · impugn
soil
Ground matter for planting
muddy · smear · spot · blemish · grime · muck · splatter · streak · foul · mess
contaminate
Make unclean or unsafe
desecrate · profane · violate · adulterate · spoil · debase · pervert · degrade · blight · poison
- tarnishesblemishes, blots, corrupts, defames, denigrates