sully sully /ˈsʌli/

verb

1. Charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone  ( asperse , defame , denigrate , besmirch , calumniate , slander , smear , smirch , sully )
   charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
    The journalists have defamed me!
   The journalists have defamed me!
    The article in the paper sullied my reputation
   The article in the paper sullied my reputation
   
2. Make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically  ( defile , maculate , stain , sully , tarnish )
   make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
    The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air
   The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air
    Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man
   Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man
   
3. Place under suspicion or cast doubt upon  ( cloud , corrupt , defile , sully , taint )
   place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
    Sully someone's reputation
   sully someone's reputation
   

 Sully

noun

1. French statesman (1560-1641)  ( Duc de Sully , Maxmilien de Bethune , Sully )
   French statesman (1560-1641)
   
2. United States painter (born in England) of portraits and historical scenes (1783-1872)  ( Sully , Thomas Sully )
   United States painter (born in England) of portraits and historical scenes (1783-1872)