The difference between Sully and Tarnish
When used as nouns, sully means a blemish, whereas tarnish means oxidation or discoloration, especially of a decorative metal exposed to air.
When used as verbs, sully means to soil or stain, whereas tarnish means to oxidize or discolor due to oxidation.
check bellow for the other definitions of Sully and Tarnish
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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.
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Tarnish as a noun:
Oxidation or discoloration, especially of a decorative metal exposed to air.
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Tarnish as a verb (intransitive):
To oxidize or discolor due to oxidation.
Examples:
"Careful storage of silver will prevent it from tarnishing."
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Tarnish as a verb (transitive):
To soil, sully, damage or compromise
Examples:
"He is afraid that he will tarnish his reputation if he disagrees."
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Tarnish as a verb (intransitive, figurative):
To lose its lustre or attraction; to become dull.