besmirched crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're stuck on the clue "besmirched crossword clue", you've come to the right place. We've compiled a comprehensive list of potential answers, organized by letter count, to help you quickly complete your puzzle.
Solutions for "besmirched crossword clue" by Letter Count
7 Letters
SULLIED: To soil, stain, or tarnish, especially morally; to make dirty or spotty.
TAINTED: Contaminated or corrupted, especially morally; having a moral defect.
STAINED: Marked with a discolored spot; damaged in reputation or character.
11 Letters
DISCREDITED: Harmed the good reputation of (someone or something); made someone or something seem less believable.
More About "besmirched crossword clue"
The word "besmirched" means to damage the reputation of someone or something in the eyes of others, or to make something dirty or stained. It often appears in crosswords as a past participle, implying an action that has already occurred, leading to a tarnished state. When you encounter this clue, think about synonyms that convey a sense of moral corruption, defilement, or simply being marked or dirtied.
Common crossword setters love words like 'besmirched' because they have both literal and figurative meanings. While it can literally mean to put a smudge on something, it's more frequently used to describe a stained reputation. This dual nature allows for clever clueing, so always consider both aspects. The context of other solved words in your puzzle can also heavily guide you towards the correct interpretation and answer length.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Word Length: Always check the number of boxes provided for the answer. This is your primary filter for potential solutions.
- Look for Synonyms and Antonyms: "Besmirched" requires synonyms, but some clues might hint at antonyms, so be mindful of the clue's direction.
- Check for Tense and Part of Speech: Since "besmirched" is a past participle, its answers will almost always be past participles (ending in -ED). Pay attention to whether the clue is a noun, verb, adjective, etc.
- Cross-Reference with Intersecting Words: The most powerful tool in crossword solving is how answers intersect. Use the letters from solved clues to narrow down possibilities for "besmirched."
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'besmirched' mean in a crossword context?
In crosswords, 'besmirched' typically refers to something that has been stained, tarnished, or morally defiled. It implies damage to a reputation or a physical mark, so common answers will be synonyms for 'stained,' 'sullied,' 'tainted,' or 'discredited.'
Are there common prefixes or suffixes for 'besmirched' answers?
For 'besmirched,' you'll often find past participle forms ending in -ED, as the clue itself is a past participle. Look for words like 'STAINED,' 'SULLIED,' 'TAINTED,' or 'DISGRACED.' Sometimes, the verb form without -ED might appear if the clue is rephrased.
How do I find synonyms for 'besmirched' quickly?
To find synonyms quickly for 'besmirched' when solving a crossword, consider its core meaning: to make dirty or damage reputation. Think of words like 'tarnish,' 'stain,' 'sully,' 'soil,' or 'disgrace.' If the length fits, you can also consider words like 'defile' or 'denigrate' in their past participle forms.