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

  1. Besmirch as a verb (transitive, literary):

    To make dirty; to soil.

  2. 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."

  1. 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."

  2. Sully as a verb (transitive):

    To corrupt or damage.

    Examples:

    "She tried to sully her rival’s reputation with a suggestive comment."

  3. Sully as a verb (intransitive):

    To become soiled or tarnished.

  1. Sully as a noun (rare, obsolete):

    A blemish.

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