i Register
In some senses, besmirch is marked as literary. Watch for register when choosing this word.
besmirch
UK /bɪˈsmɜːtʃ/ US /bɪˈsmɝːt͡ʃ/
verb 2
Definitions
verb
1
To make dirty.
2
To tarnish something, especially someone's reputation.
The newspaper was on a campaign to besmirch the actor.
Our gayness and our gilt are all besmirch'd With rainy marching in the painful field
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