tarnish
Dull metallic film
Tarnish is the dull film that forms on metal surfaces when they react with air or moisture—silver tarnishes to gray or black, copper to green.
To tarnish is to lose or cause to lose luster: The silverware had tarnished over the years.
Figuratively, tarnish means to damage or sully: The scandal tarnished his reputation.
A tarnish on someone's record is a blemish that diminishes their standing.
Loss of honor
- dishonorLoss of respect
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- stigmaMark of dishonor
blemish · discredit · defamation · smear · slander · infamy · notoriety · ignominy
Iron oxide coating
- patinaSurface film from aging
- verdigrisCopper oxidation's green crust
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- discolorationAltered surface pigmentation
corrosion · weathering · pitting · deterioration · blackening · dullness · film · residue
disgrace
Loss of honor
stigma · blemish · discredit · defamation · smear · slander · infamy · notoriety · ignominy · reproach
rust
Iron oxide coating
- patinaSurface film from aging
- verdigrisCopper oxidation's green crust
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
discoloration · corrosion · weathering · pitting · deterioration · blackening · dullness · film · residue · copper
devalue
Reduce perceived worth
- diminishTo make smaller
- debaseLower in quality
- depreciateLose value over time
cheapen · undermine · compromise · impair · mar · spoil · damage · lessen · degrade · erode
patina
Surface film from aging
heirloom · antique · relic · time-worn · oxidized · mellowed · character · authenticity · silver · brass
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion
- discolorationdiscoloration, stain, stains, staining, spots
- disgracedishonor, disgrace, downfall, stigma, scandal
- residueresidue, buildup, film, scum, grime
- corrosionrust, rusting, corrosion, iron oxide, galvanic corrosion
- defamationslander, libel, defamation, defamatory statement, defaming
- tarnished imageDamaged public perception
- tarnished silverOxidized precious metal
- silver tarnishSulfide corrosion layer
- tarnish removerChemical that dissolves discoloration