definition of
sully

[1] #1 sully n. [Sully, Thomas Sully] United States painter (born in England) of portraits and historical scenes (1783-1872). wn

[2] #2 sully v. [defile, corrupt, taint, cloud] place under suspicion or cast doubt upon; "sully someone's reputation". wn

[3] #3 sully n. [Sully, Duc de Sully, Maxmilien de Bethune] French statesman (1560-1641). wn

[4] #4 sully v. [tarnish, stain, maculate, defile] make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically; "The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air"; "Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man". wn

[5] #5 sully v. [defame, slander, smirch, asperse, denigrate, calumniate, smear, besmirch] charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone; "The journalists have defamed me!" "The article in the paper sullied my reputation". wn