English Reference
Verb

sully

v.
C1 Advanced US /ˈsəɫi/ UK /sˈʌli/ sul·ly UK spelling sullies

v.to damage the purity or good reputation of something. You use this when something that was clean or respected becomes dirty or shamed.

v.to damage the purity or integrity of something; to tarnish a reputation or record. Often used figuratively to describe the loss of moral standing or honor.


SIMPLE

The scandal will sully the politician's reputation.

CONTEXTUAL

He refused to take the bribe because he did not want to sully his family name.

COMPLEX

The once-pristine landscape was sullied by the construction of massive industrial complexes that leaked pollutants into the local water supply.

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, such as 'reputation', 'name', or 'honor'.

Yet he told me that he would never allow his daughters to sully their reputations by learning any kind of instrument.

The Guardian· 15 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated