Meaning & use
Tarnished
Last updated
Having lost its shine or luster, especially due to oxidation, or, figuratively, having a damaged reputation.
See it in a sentence
The tarnished silver candlesticks needed a good polish before the dinner party.
Years of scandal left the politician's reputation permanently tarnished.
A note on using this word
The verb "tarnish" comes from an Old French word meaning "to dim" or "darken," and is now used just as often for reputations as for metal.
Words with a similar meaning
dulledsullied
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
polisheduntarnished
Make it your own
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