1. present participle of sully; damaging the purity or integrity of something; tarnishing or staining
Usage: present participle form

Examples

• The scandal was sullying the politician’s reputation.
• She worried about sullying her white dress in the muddy garden.
• The company’s unethical practices were sullying its brand image.
• He accused the media of sullying his good name.
• The oil spill was sullying the pristine coastline.
• Critics claimed the commercial development was sullying the historic district.