Words / C2

bi-SMURCH/bɪˈsmɜːtʃ/

To besmirch is to damage a reputation, or to soil and stain (literary / formal): besmirch a name, besmirched by rumour. To defame (already in the dictionary) is to harm by a false statement; to traduce (already in the dictionary) is to slander unfairly, and calumny (already in the dictionary) is the false damaging claim itself. Asking where the date went is a finding, not a smear.

Meaning

To damage a reputation; to soil or stain (literary / formal).

Examples

• “Do not besmirch a junior for asking where the date went.”
• “To defame is to harm by a false claim (already in C1). To traduce is to slander (already in C2). Calumny is the false claim (already in C2). A dated objection can be sharp and still fair. Corridor heat is theatre. Table the empty cell; spare the junior.”

Good to know

Stain a reputation (literary). Everyday-close: smear / soil. Close: defame (already in C1); traduce / calumny (already in C2). A date is not a personal attack.

Near in meaning

sully, tarnish, smear, stain

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