stained reputation

USAGE SUMMARY

'stained reputation' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person whose reputation has been tarnished by bad behavior or by something they said or did. For example, "Because of her lies to investors, she now has a stained reputation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Litigation is on the rise, especially in grey-haired states like Florida.As an instigator of the credit crunch, Wall Street is eager to improve not only its profitability but also its stained reputation.

The Economist

Responding to this outcome, and the positive public relations spin circulated on behalf of both the journal and the critique author, CSPI made its public allegation about a stained reputation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Given the evidence presented, his findings may stain reputations and possibly even end some careers.

The Guardian

Bel Ami belongs to a group of works written between 1880 and 1910 in which novelists take aim at journalists, who are portrayed as either vilely willing to stain reputations (Zola's Nana, Henry James's The Reverberator) or moral vacuums drawn into loathsome schemes (The Wings of the Dove).

The Guardian - Books

Leviev swears they are no longer partners, but the relationship has stained his reputation.

The New York Times - Magazine

Images of American jailers abusing their detainees at Abu Ghraib stained the reputation of American fighting forces in Iraq.

The New York Times

I am saddened that Arizona passed a hateful law so antithetical to true American values, which has stained our reputation here and abroad.

The Guardian - Opinion

During our conversations, we spoke about some events that had stained the reputation of the church while he was a member.

The New Yorker

This last phase has offered the community an unusual opportunity to revisit a historic event that stained its reputation for more than a generation.

The New York Times - Magazine

Drug gangs have stained the reputation of this seaside city and contributed heavily to giving it one of the highest murder rates in the world.

The New York Times

"Even though you say you respect the shield," Justice FitzGerald said, "you have stained the reputation of every decent, hard-working police officer on the force.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stained reputation" when you want to convey that someone's or something's good name has been negatively impacted by specific actions or events. It suggests a lasting negative mark.

Common error

Avoid using "stained reputation" for minor or insignificant incidents. This phrase carries a weight of seriousness and is best reserved for situations where the damage to reputation is substantial and enduring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stained reputation" functions as a descriptive term, where the adjective "stained" modifies the noun "reputation". It describes a state where a reputation has been negatively impacted, implying a lasting mark or blemish. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stained reputation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a reputation that has been negatively impacted by events or actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Primarily found in news and media, it conveys a lasting negative mark. When using the term, consider its weight and reserve it for significant instances of reputational damage. While alternatives like "tarnished image" or "damaged credibility" exist, "stained reputation" specifically suggests a blemish that is difficult to remove.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sulllied reputation

Indicates that the reputation has been defiled.

besmirched reputation

Synonymous with "stained reputation", implying damage.

tarnished image

Emphasizes the dulling or loss of luster of a positive image.

damaged credibility

Focuses on the loss of believability or trustworthiness.

ruined reputation

Indicates a reputation damaged beyond repair.

blemished record

Highlights specific negative events that have marred an otherwise positive history.

compromised integrity

Suggests a weakening of moral principles or ethical standards.

tainted honor

Implies that one's public respect and dignity have been sullied.

smirched name

Indicates that someone's good name or family name has been blackened.

besmirched character

Focuses on the negative impact on someone's moral qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "stained reputation" in a sentence?

You can use "stained reputation" to describe someone or something whose good name has been tarnished by specific events. For instance, "The scandal left the company with a "stained reputation"".

What are some alternatives to "stained reputation"?

Alternatives include "tarnished image", "damaged credibility", or "blemished record", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "stained reputation" in formal writing?

Yes, "stained reputation" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reports, academic analyses, or business contexts where you need to objectively describe a damaged reputation.

What's the difference between "stained reputation" and "besmirched reputation"?

"Stained reputation" and "besmirched reputation" are quite similar, both indicating damage to one's good name. "Besmirched" might imply a more active effort to defame, while "stained" suggests a more passive consequence of events.