tarnish

[ tahr-nish ]

verb (used with object)

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

   Antonyms: brighten

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

   The scandal tarnished his reputation.

   Synonyms: soil, blemish, taint

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

/ ˈtɑːnɪʃ /

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

noun

1. a tarnished condition, surface, or film

Derived Forms

• ˈtarnishable, adjective
• ˈtarnisher, noun

Other Words From

• tarnish·a·ble adjective
• anti·tarnish adjective
• anti·tarnish·ing adjective
• non·tarnish·a·ble adjective
• non·tarnished adjective
• non·tarnish·ing adjective
• un·tarnish·a·ble adjective
• un·tarnished adjective
• un·tarnish·ing adjective

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

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

Example Sentences

The move to call the election came at a time when the LDP is desperate to restore its tarnished image among the public.

From BBC

MacCallum's reputation is tarnished beyond repair - but not the charity itself.

From BBC

“Naidu is a pathological and habitual liar” who was tarnishing the image of the temple trust with false campaigns, he wrote.

From BBC

Erin Joyce, an attorney for Clark, said the Bar was attempting to “tarnish Mr. Clark’s record and good name” based on unfounded allegations.

From Los Angeles Times

Similarly, British athlete Paula Radcliffe and Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe - superstar names in their fields - felt they had been "tarnished" by wrongly being accused of doping in huge stories of their time.

From BBC

Related Words

• damage
• defame
• dim
• dull
• embarrass
• harm
• hurt
• impair
• mar
• muddy
• pollute
• smear
• spoil
• stain
• sully
• taint
• tar