sullying
Staining something pure
Sullying is the act of staining or tarnishing something, usually something pure or honorable.
The word appears most often in contexts of reputation or integrity: He was accused of sullying the family name.
Physical dirtying is possible but rare—the figurative sense dominates.
Introducing harmful contaminants
- taintingPolluting or corrupting
- foulingMaking something unclean
- defilingCorrupting purity or sanctity
- corruptingCausing moral decay
adulterating · infecting · spoiling · desecrating · befouling · vitiating · toxifying · poisoning
Damaging someone's reputation
- tarnishingOxidizing and losing shine
- slanderingMaking false damaging statements
- libelingDefaming in print
- smearingSpreading by rubbing
vilifying · denigrating · disparaging · maligning · discrediting · dishonoring · disgracing · traducing
polluting
Introducing harmful contaminants
corrupting · adulterating · infecting · spoiling · desecrating · befouling · vitiating · toxifying · poisoning · blighting
besmirching
Damaging someone's reputation
- tarnishingOxidizing and losing shine
- slanderingMaking false damaging statements
- libelingDefaming in print
smearing · vilifying · denigrating · disparaging · maligning · discrediting · dishonoring · disgracing · traducing · calumniating
- filthdirt, grime, dirty, filthy, muck
- shamingshaming, humiliating, disgracing, dishonoring, degrading
- dirtyingsoiling, dirtying, staining, smearing, smudging
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- deterioratingdecaying, decomposing, degrading, rotting, eroding
sullyingcleaning
Removing dirt and mess
cleansing · purifying · washing · scrubbing · sanitizing
sullyinghonoring
Recognizing with respect
praising · exalting · vindicating · glorifying · lauding
sullyingpurifying
Removing unwanted substances
purification · sanctifying · cleansing · hallowing · consecrating