tarnisher
One who besmirches
A tarnisher is someone or something that causes tarnish—the dull, discolored film that forms on metal surfaces, or figuratively, damage to a reputation or image.
The word appears most often in its figurative sense: He was labeled a tarnisher of the company's good name.
While chemical agents can be literal tarnishers of silver or brass, people more commonly encounter the term when someone is accused of sullying something previously held in high regard.
One who morally taints
- defilerOne who corrupts purity
- polluterOne who dirties environments
- contaminatorAgent that corrupts purity
- spoilerPremature ending disclosure
despoiler · degrader · stainer · soiler · blighter · marrer · debaser · adulterator
One who slanders others
- slandererOne who defames
- smearSpread or defame
- besmirchTo soil someone's reputation
- denigratorOne who disparages
disparager · vilifier · libeler · mudslinger · backbiter · calumniate · impugn · malign
corrupter
One who morally taints
- defilerOne who corrupts purity
- polluterOne who dirties environments
- contaminatorAgent that corrupts purity
spoiler · despoiler · degrader · stainer · soiler · blighter · marrer · debaser · adulterator · profaner
defamer
One who slanders others
denigrator · disparager · vilifier · libeler · mudslinger · backbiter · calumniate · impugn · malign · discredit
oxidation
Losing electrons chemically
- corrosionChemical wearing away
- patinaSurface film from aging
- discolorationAltered surface pigmentation
dulling · blackening · sulfide · polishing · silver · brass · copper · bronze · lacquer · verdigris
faultfinder
One who criticizes constantly
cynic · skeptic · carper · caviler · nitpicker · complainer · pessimist · scorner · decrier · deprecator
tarnisherpolisher
Tool for adding shine
burnisher · brightener · restorer · cleaner · buffer
tarnisherdefender
One who guards another
champion · vindicator · protector · rehabilitator · whitewasher
- tarnished imageDamaged public perception
- tarnished silverOxidized precious metal
- silver tarnishSulfide corrosion layer
- tarnish removerChemical that dissolves discoloration
tarnish, tarnished, untarnished, tarnishing, tarnishes, tarnishers, tarnishment