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tar·nish

tarnish

 
 
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
 
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
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
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.)
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