Synonyms for tarnish

Most common

sully · stain · besmirch · blacken · dull · pall · oxygenize

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

Noun

Antonyms

promote, glorify, consecrate

All antonyms of tarnish →

Definitions

1. v. 1

   To oxidize or discolor due to oxidation.

   Careful storage of silver will prevent it from tarnishing.

2. v. 2

   To compromise, damage, soil, or sully.

   He is afraid that she will tarnish his reputation if he disagrees with her.

3. v. 3

   To lose its lustre or attraction; to become dull.

4. n. 1

   Oxidation or discoloration, especially of a decorative metal exposed to air.

Forms

Plural

tarnishes → stigmas…

Past participle

tarnished
e.g. tarnished → sullied, stained, besmirched, blackened…

Example sentences

• sully I wouldn't want to sully your good name.
• defile I can't believe you would defile a gravestone!
• blacken Don't blacken the fridge with your dirty fingers.
• besmirch That news will besmirch his reputation for honesty.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters

dull¹, blot¹, pall¹

5 letters

shame¹, stain¹, smear¹, sully², taint¹

6 letters

stigma², darken², defile, malign², defame², leaden², deface², dullen

7 letters

corrupt², blemish², pollute², blacken², oxidate

8 letters

disgrace², discolor³, besmirch

9 letters

discredit³, denigrate³, disparage³, discolour, oxygenize, oxygenise

11 letters

contaminate⁴

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (sully² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

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