Sully
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈsʌli/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Sully is a verb meaning (transitive) To soil or stain; to dirty.
Meaning
(transitive) To soil or stain; to dirty.
More Meanings
- (transitive) To corrupt or damage.
- (intransitive, ergative) To become soiled or tarnished.
- (rare, obsolete) A blemish.
Example Sentences
He did not wish to sully his hands with gardening.
She tried to sully her rival’s reputation with a suggestive comment.
You laying these ſlight ſallies on my ſonne, / As t'were a thing a little ſoyld with working, […]
His nether garment was of yellow nankeen, closely fitted to the shape, and tied at his bunches of knees by large knots of white ribbon, a good deal sullied by use.
Word Forms
- sullies
- sullying
- sullied
- sullow
Synonyms for sully
Depending on context, synonyms include befoul, sowl, tarnish, assoil, beclart, bedaub.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include besmirch, defile, taint, smirch, smear, maculate.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.