Tarnish
verb
To make less good or impressive.
His lie tarnished his reputation among his friends.
Often appears as...
- tarnish reputation
- tarnish image
verb
To lose or make lose brightness, specifically in metal.
The silver jewelry tarnished over time.
Often appears as...
- tarnish silver
- tarnish metal
verb
To make less good or impressive.
His lie tarnished his reputation among his friends.
Often appears as...
- tarnish reputation
- tarnish image
verb
To lose or make lose brightness, specifically in metal.
The silver jewelry tarnished over time.
Often appears as...
- tarnish silver
- tarnish metal
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
Used metaphorically to describe harm done to intangible things, like reputations.
A single scandal may tarnish a politician's entire career.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Has a negative feel, implying harm or reduced quality that could have been avoided.
He did nothing wrong, but gossip tarnished his social standing.
Pro Tip 3/3Irreversible Change
Often suggests a permanent or hard-to-reverse effect.
The once-beloved hero's actions tarnished his legacy forever.
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
Used metaphorically to describe harm done to intangible things, like reputations.
A single scandal may tarnish a politician's entire career.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Has a negative feel, implying harm or reduced quality that could have been avoided.
He did nothing wrong, but gossip tarnished his social standing.
Pro Tip 3/3Irreversible Change
Often suggests a permanent or hard-to-reverse effect.
The once-beloved hero's actions tarnished his legacy forever.
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
Used metaphorically to describe harm done to intangible things, like reputations.
A single scandal may tarnish a politician's entire career.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Has a negative feel, implying harm or reduced quality that could have been avoided.
He did nothing wrong, but gossip tarnished his social standing.
Pro Tip 3/3Irreversible Change
Often suggests a permanent or hard-to-reverse effect.
The once-beloved hero's actions tarnished his legacy forever.
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Video examples
Plato’s best (and worst)...
which determine our roles in life. Some thinkers have gone on to credit the idea of the noble lie as a prototype for 20th century propaganda, and the philosopher king as inspiration for the dictators that used them. Should a few bad ideas tarnish Plato's status as one of the greatest philosophers in history?
Video examples
Jonathan Zittrain: The...
No. I think the actual answer is that once you reframe it, once you get out of one set of stale expectations from a failed project that had its day, but now, for whatever reason, is tarnished, you can actually rekindle the kind of human kindness and sharing
Video examples
Our Incredible Ocean:...
fully close all commercial fishing activities within the Phoenix islands protected area for more Tennesseans nursery for the political tarnish of mathematics come on peace and solace in every nerve lab become president
Video examples
Plato’s best (and worst)...
which determine our roles in life. Some thinkers have gone on to credit the idea of the noble lie as a prototype for 20th century propaganda, and the philosopher king as inspiration for the dictators that used them. Should a few bad ideas tarnish Plato's status as one of the greatest philosophers in history?
Video examples
Jonathan Zittrain: The...
No. I think the actual answer is that once you reframe it, once you get out of one set of stale expectations from a failed project that had its day, but now, for whatever reason, is tarnished, you can actually rekindle the kind of human kindness and sharing
Video examples
Our Incredible Ocean:...
fully close all commercial fishing activities within the Phoenix islands protected area for more Tennesseans nursery for the political tarnish of mathematics come on peace and solace in every nerve lab become president
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Oneohtrix Point Never
American Musician
For so many people, it's very hard to feel okay with success, because success is not cool. It supposedly tarnishes your thing; it ruins little pockets of scenes and the self-importance that comes from thinking you're the only people in your town that are doing something.
Quote examples
Christopher A. Wray
American Public Servant
When law enforcement fails to fulfill its most basic duty to protect and serve its citizens, particularly members of a minority community, it not only tarnishes the badge we all wear, but erodes the trust that we in law enforcement have worked so hard to build.
Quote examples
Sergio Ramos
Spanish Athlete
I think Pique, apart from the odd personal remark, has never had a bad opinion about any of my teammates at Real Madrid, but obviously, when he attacks Real Madrid, our club, and our institution, it kind of tarnishes all of the rest of what he says.
Quote examples
Ellen Ullman
American
I like the little semi-competencies of human beings, I realize. Governance, after all, is a messy business, a world of demi-solutions and compromise, where ideals are tarnished regularly.
Quote examples
Antony Blinken
American Statesman
President Trump's daily assault on our own democracy, on its institutions, on its values, on its people, that's deeply tarnished our ability to lead.
Quote examples
Sonny Bill Williams
New Zealander Athlete
If I could go back and change how I left the NRL, I would. My name will forever be tarnished but I wasn't the man I am now.
Quote examples
Burt Ward
American Actor
Now, we used to say we put on our tights to put on the world. So I don't think it tarnishes the image at all.
Quote examples
Charlie Murphy
American Actor
I didn't want to do anything that could possibly tarnish my brother's career.
Quote examples
Art Modell
American Businessman
I have a great legacy, tarnished somewhat by the move.
Quote examples
Priyadarshan
Indian Director
It is jealousy that leads people to tarnish you.
Quote examples
Oneohtrix Point Never
American Musician
For so many people, it's very hard to feel okay with success, because success is not cool. It supposedly tarnishes your thing; it ruins little pockets of scenes and the self-importance that comes from thinking you're the only people in your town that are doing something.
Quote examples
Christopher A. Wray
American Public Servant
When law enforcement fails to fulfill its most basic duty to protect and serve its citizens, particularly members of a minority community, it not only tarnishes the badge we all wear, but erodes the trust that we in law enforcement have worked so hard to build.
Quote examples
Sergio Ramos
Spanish Athlete
I think Pique, apart from the odd personal remark, has never had a bad opinion about any of my teammates at Real Madrid, but obviously, when he attacks Real Madrid, our club, and our institution, it kind of tarnishes all of the rest of what he says.
Quote examples
Ellen Ullman
American
I like the little semi-competencies of human beings, I realize. Governance, after all, is a messy business, a world of demi-solutions and compromise, where ideals are tarnished regularly.
Quote examples
Antony Blinken
American Statesman
President Trump's daily assault on our own democracy, on its institutions, on its values, on its people, that's deeply tarnished our ability to lead.
Quote examples
Sonny Bill Williams
New Zealander Athlete
If I could go back and change how I left the NRL, I would. My name will forever be tarnished but I wasn't the man I am now.
Quote examples
Burt Ward
American Actor
Now, we used to say we put on our tights to put on the world. So I don't think it tarnishes the image at all.
Quote examples
Charlie Murphy
American Actor
I didn't want to do anything that could possibly tarnish my brother's career.
Quote examples
Art Modell
American Businessman
I have a great legacy, tarnished somewhat by the move.
Quote examples
Priyadarshan
Indian Director
It is jealousy that leads people to tarnish you.
Example 1 of 10
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