Results

Definition of tarnish : 1. A thin film on the surface of a metal, usually due to a slight alteration of the original color; as, the steel tarnish in columbite.
2. The quality or state of being tarnished; stain; soil; blemish.
3. To lose luster; to become dull; as, gilding will tarnish in a foul air.
4. To soil, or change the appearance of, especially by an alternation induced by the air, or by dust, or the like; to diminish, dull, or destroy the luster of; to sully; as, to tarnish a metal; to tarnish gilding; to tarnish the purity of color.

Synonyms:

spatter, bleach, daub, impair, detract from, disserve, fade, dent, poison, black eye, lighten, bespatter, bleed, disgrace, clean, respect, injury, MARKS, maculate, prejudice, brighten, injure, darken, attaint, touch, reproach, cast aspersions (on), smut, gray, corrupt, mellow, vitiate, attack, help, harm, change, embarrass, deepen, asperse, talk trash, blur, blacken someone's reputation/name/character, better, onus, cloud, bruise

eyesore, defacement, fleck, score, rift, chip, deform, notch, mark, weal, scuff, spoil, slit, distortion, brand, discoloration, discolor, freckle, scab, spoilage, hurt, impurity, wart, stigma, speck, disfigure, crack, distort, deface, nick, damage, deformity, stain, hack, pockmark, dot, sore, flaw, hole, scrape, imperfection, mar, blister, drawback, check, defect, abrasion, fracture, lesion, splotch, blemish, spot, abrade, disfigurement, gash, taint, blot, scratch, fault, scar, blotch, kink

denounce, badmouth, discredit, slander, shame, scandalize, blacken, pillory, smear, besmirch, besmear, detract, sully, denigrate, traduce, libel, stigmatize, vilify, calumniate, defame, dishonor, malign

foul, soil, befoul, muddy, pollute, defile, streak, dirty, smudge, putrefy, smirch, contaminate

Usage examples:

• How many others are pleased, to tarnish the honour of the nation, to represent their countrymen as composed of rebels or cowards! - "Memoirs of the Private Life, Return, and Reign of Napoleon in 1815, Vol. I", Pierre Antoine Edouard Fleury de Chaboulon.
• " Oh, tarnish late on Wenlock Edge, Gold that I never see! - "The Disturbing Charm", Berta Ruck.
• Let them not tarnish their religious purpose either by word or deed; let them afford to all with whom they may be associated, an example of wisdom, and a perseverance in all good works. - "The History of the Knights Templars, the Temple Church, and the Temple", Charles G. Addison.