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View synonyms for

tarnish

[ tahr-nish ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to dull the luster of (a metallic surface), especially by oxidation; discolor.

    Antonyms:

  2. to diminish or destroy the purity of; stain; sully:

    The scandal tarnished his reputation.

    Synonyms: , ,



verb (used without object)

  1. to grow dull or discolored; lose luster.
  2. to become sullied.

noun

  1. a tarnished coating.
  2. tarnished condition; discoloration; alteration of the luster of a metal.
  3. a stain or blemish.

tarnish

/ ˈɑːɪʃ /

verb

  1. to lose or cause to lose the shine, esp by exposure to air or moisture resulting in surface oxidation; discolour

    silver tarnishes quickly

  2. to stain or become stained; taint or spoil

    a fraud that tarnished his reputation

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a tarnished condition, surface, or film
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٲԾ󲹲, adjective
  • ˈٲԾ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ٲn·· adjective
  • t·ٲn adjective
  • t·ٲn·ing adjective
  • non·ٲn·· adjective
  • ԴDz·ٲn adjective
  • ԴDz·ٲn·Բ adjective
  • un·ٲn·· adjective
  • ܲ·ٲn adjective
  • ܲ·ٲn·Բ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tarnish1

1590–1600; < Middle French terniss-, long stem of ternir to dull, deaden, derivative of terne dull, wan < Germanic; compare Old High German tarni, cognate with Old Saxon derni, Old English dierne hidden, obscure; -ish 2
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tarnish1

C16: from Old French ternir to make dull, from terne lustreless, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German tarnen to conceal, Old English dierne hidden
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Benn has since been cleared to fight and denies intentionally doping, but the scandal has tarnished his reputation.

From

It’s an anticlimactic return that feels more intended to scrub the remaining tarnish from her image than it does to induct her back into Vanderpump’s fold.

From

After years spent tarnishing her brand with rampant trans-exclusionary takes, she’s assured that her writing won’t define her legacy; her flagrant cowardice will.

From

Wilkinson said Garcia’s deportation threatens to “reduce the rule of law to lawlessness and tarnish the very values for which Americans of diverse views and persuasions have always stood.”

From

Fine's tarnished rep in the Sunshine State comes back to the way he has carried himself in office.

From

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Tarn-et-Garonnetarnished plant bug