sully
UK: ˈsʌli | US: ˈsʌli
vt. to tarnish or damage the purity or integrity of something
vt. to soil or stain physically
vt. (archaic) to defame or disgrace someone
The word "sully" traces back to the Old French souillier (to soil or dirty), likely derived from Vulgar Latin suculare, related to Latin sucus (juice, filth). The verb-forming suffix -y (common in Middle English) was added to create the modern form. Originally tied to physical staining, it later expanded metaphorically to moral or reputational tarnishing, reflecting societal associations between cleanliness and virtue.
The scandal threatened to sully his political reputation.
Mud from the rain sullied her white dress.
Historical records should not be sullied by biased interpretations.
The artist refused to sully his vision with commercial compromises.
(Archaic) "He sought to sully her name with false accusations."