tarnish

Vocabulary Word

Definition
'Tarnish' refers to two things. One is when metal loses brightness because of air or moisture. It also means spoiling the look, quality, or reputation of something usually well-regarded.
Examples in Different Contexts
In a social context, a person’s 'tarnished' reputation implies damaged integrity or character. Someone might say, 'The scandal has tarnished his public image, making recovery and redemption challenging.'
Practice Scenarios
Tech

Scenario:

The new update has been causing crashes on some devices. We can't risk users losing trust in our software

Response:

Agreed, we should quickly release a patch to fix the issues before our app's credibility is further tarnished.

Academics

Scenario:

Three of our students have been accused of academic misconduct. The university's integrity is in question.

Response:

We should conduct thorough investigations and apply strict penalties to avoid tarnishing our academic integrity any further.

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