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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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Other Word Forms

  • tarnishable adjective
  • antitarnish adjective
  • antitarnishing adjective
  • nontarnishable adjective
  • nontarnished adjective
  • nontarnishing adjective
  • untarnishable adjective
  • untarnished adjective
  • untarnishing adjective
  • ˈٲԾ󲹲 adjective
  • ˈٲԾ noun
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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.

Sir David's polished image has, on occasion, been tarnished by scandal - in 2003, he faced accusations of an extra-marital affair with his former personal assistant Rebecca Loos.

From

Although Beech was later imprisoned for making false claims, and her husband's name was cleared, Lady Brittan feels his legacy has been permanently tarnished.

From

Nuclear power's reputation is tarnished though by high profile disasters, where radioactive material has been released into the environment - including in Chernobyl, Ukraine, in 1986 and Fukushima in Japan, in 2011.

From

India's petroleum ministry criticised CREA's report as "a deceptive effort to tarnish India's image".

From

For the US consortium, their ownership was tarnished by 1,201 days without silverware but the moment captain Reece James lifted the Conference League trophy, the first in his captaincy, they earned valuable breathing room.

From

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