sully
verb [T] /ˈsʌl.i/ formalDefinition
› to spoil something that is pure or someone's perfect reputation: His reputation, he said, had been unfairly sullied by half-truths and innuendos.Damaging reputationDisapproving and criticizing › to make something dirty: No speck of dirt had ever sullied his hands.Making things dirty and untidy
(Definition of sully verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
Browse the Dictionary
Browse the Thesaurus
SMART Thesaurus
Synonyms and related words:
- besmirch verb
- black mark noun
- blacken verb (SPOIL)
- blot your copybook idiom
- calumny noun
- drag sb's name through the mire/mud idiom
- give a dog a bad name idiom
- hurl/throw/sling mud at sb idiom
- impugn verb
- libel noun
- scurrilous adjective
- show someone in a bad light idiom
- slander noun
- slander verb
- slur noun (CRITICISM)
- slur verb (CRITICIZE)
- smear noun (ACCUSING)
- smear verb (ACCUSE)
- stab noun
- vilify verb
Topic:
Damaging reputation
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Word of the Day
Blog
Read our blog about how the English language behaves.
New Words
Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.
