tarnishing
Surface slowly darkening
Tarnishing is the process of losing luster or becoming dull, typically through oxidation or chemical reaction.
Silver tarnishes when exposed to air; brass tarnishes over time.
The word extends to reputation and honor: The scandal succeeded in tarnishing his legacy.
Something tarnishing is actively losing its shine, literally or figuratively.
oxidation
Losing electrons chemically
- patinaSurface film from aging
- corrosionChemical wearing away
- discolorationAltered surface pigmentation
dulling · blackening · silver · brass · copper · bronze · verdigris · rusting · polish · buffing
damage
Harm or impairment
- smearSpread or defame
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
scandal · disgrace · discredit · besmirch · sully · stain · mudslinging · aspersion · dishonor · shame
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion
- discolorationdiscoloration, stain, stains, staining, spots
- shamingshaming, humiliating, disgracing, dishonoring, degrading
- gradual changesfade, morph, refinement, modification, revision
- corrosionrust, rusting, corrosion, iron oxide, galvanic corrosion
- surface damagecracks, rust, cracking, peeling, chipping
tarnishingpolishing
Smoothing by friction
burnishing · shining · buffing · cleaning · brightening
tarnishingenhancing
Increasing quality or value
burnishing · elevating · restoring · rehabilitating · honoring
tarnishingpreserving
Protecting from deterioration
protecting · maintaining · antitarnish · sealing · coating
tarnish, tarnished, untarnished, tarnishes, tarnishers, antitarnish, tarnishment