The difference between Besmirch and Sully
When used as verbs, besmirch means to make dirty, whereas sully means to soil or stain.
Sully is also noun with the meaning: a blemish.
check bellow for the other definitions of Besmirch and Sully
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Besmirch as a verb (transitive, literary):
To make dirty; to soil.
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Besmirch as a verb (transitive):
To tarnish something, especially someone's reputation; to debase.
Examples:
"The newspaper was on a campaign to besmirch the actor."
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Sully as a verb (transitive):
To soil or stain; to dirty.
Examples:
"synonyms sowq1=obsolete"
"He did not wish to sully his hands with gardening."
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Sully as a verb (transitive):
To corrupt or damage.
Examples:
"She tried to sully her rival’s reputation with a suggestive comment."
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Sully as a verb (intransitive):
To become soiled or tarnished.
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Sully as a noun (rare, obsolete):
A blemish.