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Definition of sully

sully

/ˈsʌl.i/
sul · ly
Adjective:sullied
•
Past Simple:sullied
•
Past Participle:sullied
•
Present Participle:sullying
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sully Lexical Profile

sully Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To damage the purity, integrity, or reputation of someone or something; to tarnish or defile.

Example

"The mayor refused to let baseless rumors sully her decades of dedicated public service."

2

To make physically dirty, stained, or soiled.

Example

"Muddy footprints began to sully the freshly mopped marble floor of the lobby."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for sully

• Nearby Words

sullen
sullenly
sullenness
sully
sulphur-crested cockatoo
sultan
sultana

Word Origin & Etymology

Originating in the late 16th century, probably from the French verb souiller ('to soil'), or evolving from the archaic English verb 'sule', coming from Old English sylian ('to make muddy or dirty').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sully. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sully
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