blemisht

Adjective

blemished (comparative more blemished, superlative most blemished)

1. Having blemishes; flawed.
   • Stated sharply, today′s centers of higher learning are more blemished than superficial appearances suggest, and what often seems “democratic” is little more than contrived public displays.2001, Robert Weissberg, “Chapter 18: Academic Tyranny: The Tale and the Lessons”, in Stuart S. Nagel, editor, Handbook of Public Policy Evaluation, page 111

Verb

blemish (third-person singular simple present blemishes, present participle blemishing, simple past and past participle blemished)

1. (transitive) To spoil the appearance of.
   • we see ordinarie examples by this licence which wonderfully blemisheth the authoritie and lustre of our law, never to stay upon one sentence, but to run from one to another judge, to decide one same case.1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC
2. (transitive) To tarnish (reputation, character, etc.); to defame.
   • There had nothing passed betwixt us that might blemish reputation.1600, Francis Vere, Commentaries of the Divers Pieces of Service

   Synonyms:

   besmirch, denigrate, stain, assassinate, asperse, backbite, badmouth, befoul, belibel, besmear

See all 4 meanings of blemish