sully
verb
1. place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
- sully someone's reputation
Similar word(s): cloud, corrupt, defile, taint
Definition categories: contact, deflower, impair, mar, spoil, vitiate
2. make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
Similar word(s): defile, maculate, stain, tarnish
Definition categories: contact, blob, blot, fleck, spot
3. charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
Similar word(s): asperse, besmirch, calumniate, defame, denigrate, slander, smear, smirch
Definition categories: communication, accuse, charge
Sentences with sully as a verb:
- He did not wish to sully his hands with gardening.
- He did not wish to sully his reputation with an ill-mannered comment.