besmirch

Meanings

• Verb

  To sully or defile the reputation or good name of (someone or something) by speaking or acting in a disrespectful or damaging way.

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Pronunciation

1. 
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75729884"
2. /bɪˈsmɝːtʃ/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2160728"

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Synonyms

debase , slander , smear , soil

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with besmirch
hitch , itch , witch , ditch

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Variants

List of all variants of besmirch that leads to same result
besmirch , besmirched , besmirches , besmirching

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originally meant 'to smear with filth' or 'to make dirty with mud'. Derived from Old French 'besmircher', from 'besmeir' (to smear) + 'rich' (dirty).

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The word 'besmirch' first appeared in English in the late 14th century.

2. In some dialects, the past tense and past participle of 'besmirch' are 'besmeared' and 'besmeared', respectively.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Defamation: The act of making false statements or spreading damaging rumors about someone, which can lead to harm to their reputation. Defamation includes libel (written statements) and slander (spoken statements).

2. Slander: A form of defamation that involves making false spoken statements that damage someone's reputation. Unlike libel, slander does not require written documentation.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

The word 'besmirch' has been used extensively in literature, particularly in works that explore themes of reputation, honor, and deception. For instance, in Shakespeare's 'Othello', Iago uses manipulation and false accusations to besmirch Othello's name, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.

How to Memorize "besmirch"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine someone speaking disrespectfully about someone else, damaging their reputation. Visualize the negative impact this can have on the person's life.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'besmirch' with the idea of damaging someone's reputation or good name.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic by remembering the phrase: 'Besmirch' means 'to make dirty with words'.

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