sully
Drag through mud
To sully something is to stain, tarnish, or damage it—usually reputation or honor rather than physical objects: The scandal sullied his good name.
The word carries a literary or formal tone, suggesting defilement of something once pure or respected.
She refused to sully her hands with such dirty work. (Capitalized Sully is a surname.)
Oxidation discoloration on metal
- besmirchTo soil someone's reputation
- defameHarm reputation falsely
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
malign · vilify · denigrate · disparage · discredit · disgrace · dishonor · shame
tarnish
Oxidation discoloration on metal
libel · malign · vilify · denigrate · disparage · discredit · disgrace · dishonor · shame
stain
Lasting surface discoloration
blot · smear · mark · discolor · dirty · muddy · streak · splatter · grime · scuff
defile
To violate sanctity
- taintMake impure
- contaminateMake unclean or unsafe
- polluteMake impure harmfully
corrupt · foul · spoil · desecrate · profane · violate · adulterate · debase · degrade · pervert