verb
sully
SUL-ee/ˈsʌli/
To make someone or something less pure or respectable.
Spilled oil sullies the clear water.
Etymology
Sully probably comes from French souiller, “to soil,” which also described moral defilement. The image of staining connects physical dirt with damage to something’s purity, reputation, or dignity.
In context
if we answer the question we could uh sully the votes potentially and so you'd rather stay uh let the crowd decide yeah we'll stay quiet until the poll is over
More examples
- Mud sullied the white hem of her dress.
- She would not sully the celebration with an accusation.
- The false report sullied the team's good name.
Forms
sully · sullies · sullied · sullying