sully crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're stuck on the clue "sully crossword", you've come to the right place. We provide all possible answers, explanations, and helpful tips to get you unstuck and back to enjoying your puzzle. Let's find your solution!
Solutions for "sully crossword" by Letter Count
3 Letters
MAR: To spoil or damage the appearance or quality of something.
4 Letters
SOIL: To make something dirty or to bring disgrace upon it.
5 Letters
STAIN: A mark or discoloration, or to damage someone's reputation.
TAINT: To contaminate or corrupt, often used for reputation or integrity.
6 Letters
DEFILE: To make something morally or physically impure; to desecrate.
7 Letters
BLEMISH: A small mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something.
8 Letters
DISHONOR: To bring shame or disgrace upon someone or something.
More About "sully crossword"
The word "sully" is a classic crossword clue because of its versatility and multiple synonyms. At its core, "sully" means to make something dirty, to dishonor, or to spoil its purity or integrity. This can apply to a physical object, like sullying a clean shirt, or more often in crosswords, to an abstract concept, such as sullying one's reputation or a good name.
Crossword constructors love words like "sully" because they can hint at various answers depending on the nuance they wish to convey and the length of the required word. Understanding the different shades of meaning – from a minor "mar" to a complete "defilement" – is key to cracking these types of clues. Always consider the context provided by other intersecting words in your puzzle grid.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Think Synonyms Broadly: For clues like "sully," don't just think of direct equivalents. Consider words that imply a similar action or result, even if they aren't perfect one-to-one synonyms.
- Leverage Letter Counts: Use the number of letters in the answer grid as your primary filter. If a word like "STAIN" (5 letters) doesn't fit, explore other synonyms with different lengths, such as "MAR" (3 letters) or "DEFILE" (6 letters).
- Check Intersecting Clues: The most reliable way to confirm a "sully" answer is by checking the letters provided by crossing words. Even if multiple synonyms fit the length, only one will align with the intersecting letters.
- Consider Nuance: Some crosswords hint at a specific degree of "sullying." A light blemish might be a "MAR," while a serious desecration could be "DEFILE." Pay attention to any subtle hints in the clue.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "sully" typically mean in crossword clues?
In crosswords, "sully" usually refers to actions that stain, tarnish, or defile something, often a reputation, purity, or surface. It implies making something less clean, honorable, or perfect.
Why might "sully" have multiple answers in a crossword puzzle?
Words like "sully" are rich in synonyms (e.g., stain, mar, taint, defile). Depending on the specific nuance or letter count required by the puzzle grid, different synonyms will fit, leading to multiple potential solutions for the same clue.
How can I determine the correct answer for "sully" when multiple options fit the length?
To pinpoint the correct answer, examine crossing letters from other clues. Also, consider the specific context of the puzzle – is it a themed puzzle? Does the clue imply a physical stain or a metaphorical one?