besmirch

Steele doesn’t besmirch the data that punishes his Redhawks, but he also says “there’s something to winning.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 2, 2026

Mr Yusuf said that he had never met Gill, and all he knew of him was what he had read in the newspapers, saying his actions should not "besmirch" Reform UK.

From BBC ● Nov. 23, 2025

Citing this isn’t meant to besmirch Lear’s legacy but, rather, to highlight his flaws as a part of his evolution.

From Salon ● Dec. 7, 2023

“And it would really besmirch the reputation of the Academies, which I felt strongly about defending.”

From New York Times ● Apr. 28, 2023

"Not bloody likely. The Long Summer will come again before that one would besmirch his precious honor."

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

"Behaviour like that, whether it's at an Old Firm match or any other football match, besmirches that, and it should absolutely be seen as unacceptable."

From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2022

The prevalence of this ugly fad usage besmirches the language with a jarring oddity, without purpose in clarity or elegance.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 20, 2021

Mud besmirches his van’s tiny, neat living space.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 6, 2018

It is unfortunate that this Times article indirectly besmirches the Yankees.

From New York Times ● Jul. 8, 2017

Prince Napoleon blames M. Taine for quoting "eight times" 'Bourrienne's Memoirs,' and then, letting his feelings loose, he takes advantage of the occasion and cruelly besmirches Bourrienne's name.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 6 by Hamilton Wright Mabie

“New banks didn’t even call themselves banks and instead used the expression caisses, meaning ‘deposits,’ so besmirched was the banking industry’s reputation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025

But our own humanity has been besmirched, damaged, undermined by such silences, which, in many ways, represent the most powerful propaganda of all.

From Salon ● May 31, 2023

Their besmirched clothes, blistered feet and cracked lips attested to the ordeal of the nine-day trek, but they still danced and jumped to celebrate their accomplishment.

From BBC ● Feb. 3, 2023

Securities and Exchange Commission, had wrongly besmirched Hindenburg’s “well-deserved reputation for thoroughness, precision and accuracy.”

From Reuters ● Feb. 2, 2023

Was there any kind of filth with which he had not besmirched himself, any sin and folly which he had not committed, any stain upon his soul for which he alone had not been responsible?

From "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse

From about 1630 to 1700, many British-born settlers migrated as a result of family disputes, financial hardships, brushes with the law and the besmirching of reputations through illegitimacy or scandals.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 15, 2026

Yet having that knowledge somehow doesn't assuage the anxiety that strikes the moment I see a ring of oil-slicked curry from the pot lid besmirching my flawless countertop.

From Salon ● Apr. 18, 2023

The businesses declared themselves outraged by the government besmirching their reputation.

From BBC ● Jan. 18, 2023

“They are targeting this officer and besmirching his reputation for following his attorney’s advice,” Tratnik argued.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 7, 2022

With that he seized a piece of charred wood and commenced besmirching their white garments and their hands and faces, including Poe's.

From The Home Life of Poe by Susan Archer Weiss