tarnish

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tarnish" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something losing its luster or getting damaged. For example, "The once-shiny silver vase had been tarnished over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kagame has accused the corporation of "genocide denial" in the documentary, which he said it had chosen to "tarnish Rwandans, dehumanise them".

The Guardian

Bribery and doping allegations in football and athletics are threatening to drag sportswear maker Nike into two simultaneous PR crises that could tarnish the iconic swoosh brand.

The Guardian - Sport

The allegations prompted Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Pakistan's interior minister, to order the FIA to investigate if the company "is involved in any such illegal work which can tarnish the good image of the country in the world", a statement said.

The Guardian

An online reputation is notoriously prone to the tarnish of outdated or contentious information, of the sort which is now the subject of proposed EU rules concerning the so-called "right to be forgotten".

The Guardian - Tech

"This was a rash thing to do," writes Huxley, "and was to tarnish Peter's reputation in some scientific circles".

The Guardian

His team are hoping to tarnish opponent Ken Cucinelli with the general anger toward Republicans that followed the government shutdown – a crisis that proved deeply unpopular in a state with the second-highest proportion of government workers in the country and helped tip the polls in McAuliffe's favour.

The Guardian

The decision was also a gamble for the military itself, since any failure by Sisi would also tarnish them as an institution, Hanna argued.

The Guardian

This issue will continue to cast a shadow over his campaign, and the fear among some of his supporters is that there may be further controversies along the road that could seriously tarnish his credibility.

The Guardian

In Kiev during the orange revolution of 2004, for instance, cordons around marches made it hard for provocateurs to incite skirmishes that would tarnish the orange side as hooligans.

The Economist

More unfairly still, the misdeeds of one company can tarnish all its competitors as well.Some of the most vigorous wreckers of reputations have been NGOs.

The Economist

The Brotherhood's brand is now so toxic that many candidates have tried to tarnish their rivals by accusing them of belonging to the movement.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tarnish", consider what aspect is being affected, such as reputation, appearance, or value. Choose synonyms if a different nuance is needed.

Common error

While "tarnish" is a versatile word, overuse in formal writing can make your language seem repetitive. Diversify your word choice with synonyms like "blemish", "impair", or "degrade" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "tarnish" functions both as a verb, describing the action of losing luster or becoming discolored, and as a noun, referring to the resulting oxidation or discoloration. Ludwig examples show its usage in contexts ranging from physical alteration to damage of reputation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "tarnish" functions as both a verb and a noun, referring to the process of losing luster or damaging reputation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for use across various contexts, with News & Media being its most frequent domain. While highly versatile, it's important to consider the specific nuance you want to convey, and choose from related phrases such as "damage the reputation" or "blemish" for subtle variations in meaning. When writing formally, be mindful of overusing "tarnish", and consider diversifying your word choice with alternatives to maintain a sophisticated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

damage the reputation

Focuses specifically on the reputation aspect of tarnishing.

blemish

Implies a superficial imperfection, like a spot or mark.

stain

Suggests a lasting mark or damage, often metaphorical.

discredit

Emphasizes the loss of credibility or trust.

detract from

Highlights the reduction in value or quality.

impair

Signifies a weakening or diminishing effect.

degrade

Suggests a decline to a lower quality or condition.

mar

Indicates spoiling the perfection of something.

corrupt

Implies moral decay or impurity.

debase

Highlights a reduction in status or value.

FAQs

How can I use "tarnish" in a sentence?

You can use "tarnish" to describe the oxidation of metals, as in "The silver began to tarnish". You can also use it metaphorically, as in "The scandal could tarnish his reputation".

What can I say instead of "tarnish"?

You can use alternatives like "damage the reputation", "blemish", or "stain" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "tarnish" or "tarnished"?

"Tarnish" is the base verb form, while "tarnished" is the past participle or adjective form. Use "tarnish" for present tense or infinitive forms, and "tarnished" to describe something that has been tarnished.

What's the difference between "tarnish" and "corrode"?

"Tarnish" typically refers to a superficial discoloration or loss of luster, especially on metals. "Corrode" implies more significant and destructive erosion of a material, often due to chemical reactions.