|
|
- pronunciation:
- tar
nihsh
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
tarnishes, tarnishing, tarnished |
| definition 1: |
to dull the luster of or discolor (metal), as by exposure to air.
Exposure to the air will eventually tarnish the brass.- synonyms:
- besmirch, sully
- antonyms:
- brighten, polish
- similar words:
- blacken, corrode, darken, discolor, dull, mar, oxidize, rust
|
| definition 2: |
to spoil or stain (someone's character, reputation, or the like).
The scandal badly tarnished the politician's reputation, probably costing him the election.- synonyms:
- besmirch, blacken, soil, sully, taint
- antonyms:
- enhance
- similar words:
- blot, cloud, defile, denigrate, smirch, spot, stain, vitiate
|
| related words: |
black, corrupt, degrade, dirty, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, foul, malign, rot, soil, stain, sully |
|
|
| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to become dull or discolored, as metal.
The servants polished the silver regularly so that it would not tarnish.- antonyms:
- brighten
- similar words:
- blacken, corrode, darken, discolor, dull, oxidize, rust
|
| definition 2: |
to become spoiled or stained, as a reputation.
- synonyms:
- soil
- similar words:
- taint
|
| related words: |
corrupt, soil, stain |
|
|
|
|
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a dullness or discoloration on a metallic surface.
- synonyms:
- corrosion, discoloration, stain
- similar words:
- patina, rust
|
| definition 2: |
an instance or condition of being tarnished.
- synonyms:
- corrosion, discoloration, oxidation
- similar words:
- darkening, dulling
|
| definition 3: |
the condition of being stained or spoiled.
- similar words:
- disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, obloquy, shame, taint
|
| derivation: |
tarnished (adj.) |
|
|