sullied: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2formal, literary
Quick answer
What does “sullied” mean?
made dirty, stained, or tarnished.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
made dirty, stained, or tarnished; having had purity or cleanliness compromised.
damaged or disgraced (especially in relation to reputation, honour, or integrity); morally corrupted or contaminated.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally formal and literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Both share connotations of disgrace, shame, and irreversible damage to honour.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, with a slight edge in British English due to historical/literary texts (e.g., Shakespeare's 'sullied flesh').
Grammar
How to Use “sullied” in a Sentence
[reputation/name] + be + sullied + by + [agent/scandal][subject] + sullied + [object: reputation/honour]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sullied” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tabloids sullied the MP's good name with unfounded rumours.
- He felt his family's honour had been sullied by the disgraceful act.
American English
- The corruption scandal completely sullied the mayor's reputation.
- She didn't want her professional record sullied by association with the failed project.
adjective
British English
- He sought to restore his sullied reputation through charity work.
- The once-pristine landscape was now sullied by industrial waste.
American English
- The CEO resigned, leaving behind a sullied legacy.
- They fought to clear their father's sullied name.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in corporate PR or crisis management contexts to describe damage to a company's public image, e.g., 'The brand's reputation was sullied by the environmental scandal.'
Academic
Found in historical, political, or literary analysis discussing the damage to a figure's legacy or the purity of a concept, e.g., 'The philosopher's legacy was sullied by posthumous allegations.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used dramatically to describe a serious personal betrayal or scandal.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields. Possible in legal contexts regarding defamation or character evidence.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sullied”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sullied”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sullied”
- Using it for temporary or minor criticism (e.g., 'His presentation was sullied by a few mistakes' – too strong). Overuse in informal contexts where 'damaged' or 'hurt' would suffice.
- Incorrectly using the active form for inanimate subjects (e.g., 'The news sullied the public' is ok; 'The mud sullied his shoes' is archaic/unnatural).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost exclusively metaphorical in modern English. It refers to damage to reputation, honour, or purity. Literal use (for physical objects) is archaic and very rare.
They are very close synonyms. 'Sullied' can imply a deeper, more morally reprehensible staining, often involving shame or disgrace. 'Tarnished' is slightly more common and can be used for less severe damage to image or reputation.
No, it carries a strongly negative connotation. It describes a negative change from a state of purity or goodness to one of contamination or disgrace.
The passive voice is most common: '[Reputation/Name] + was/were + sullied + by + [cause].' The active voice ('The scandal sullied his name.') is also correct but less frequent.
made dirty, stained, or tarnished.
Sullied is usually formal, literary in register.
Sullied: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌl.id/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌl.id/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sullied reputation”
- “sullied name”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SILVER that has become DULL and discoloured (sullied). Just as tarnish ruins shiny silver, a sullied reputation ruins a shining character.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORAL PURITY/REPUTATION IS CLEANLINESS (Thus, damaging it is making it dirty: 'dirty reputation', 'stained honour').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'sullied' LEAST appropriate?